Ganguly Says Gill On 'Honeymoon Period' As Captain: '..More Pressure With Time'

Ganguly Says Gill On 'Honeymoon Period' As Captain: '..More Pressure With Time'

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Last Updated: July 08, 2025, 23:50 IST

Sourav Ganguly feels Shubman Gill is enjoying a 'honeymoon period' as India's Test captain but there will be more pressure on him in the days to come.

Indian Test captain Shubman Gill (AP)

Shubman Gill is currently experiencing a “honeymoon period" as India’s Test captain, but former India skipper Sourav Ganguly believes that greater pressure will come in the future.

Ganguly, who turned 53 on Tuesday, reflected on his recent interview with PTI, emphasising that Indian cricket will always have talented players.

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Gill, having scored 585 runs, is now just 18 short of surpassing Rahul Dravid’s 2002 tally of 602 runs for the most runs by an Indian batter in a series in England. India made a remarkable comeback to win the Edgbaston Test by 336 runs, leveling the five-match series 1-1.

“This is the best I’ve seen him bat and I’m not surprised," Ganguly said at Eden Gardens on the sidelines of his birthday celebration.

“I’ve recently said in an interview to PTI CEO that there will always be players in Indian cricket after every generation. Whenever there’s a void, players will come and fill it.

“There is so much talent in Indian cricket. In every generation you will find players.

“After the great (Sunil) Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid, (Anil) Kumble came and then (Virat) Kohli, now Gill, (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, Akash Deep, Mukesh (Kumar), (Mohammed) Siraj… just see the abundance of talent.

“In every generation, whenever there’s a void, they will come and fill it. I’ve always said that."

Ganguly also mentioned that he is “open" to becoming India’s head coach in the future but acknowledged the uncertainty, stating, “It’s too early. Icche onek kichu thake (one can wish anything), but reality is different. Do you wish to become coach? Let’s see, don’t know."

Why Sourav Ganguly Said Shubman Gill Is In ‘Honeymoon Period’?

Leading India for the first time, Gill has scored three hundreds (including a double century) in two matches, amassing 585 runs at an average of 146.25. His scores of 269 and 161 in Birmingham set several records, including the highest match aggregate by an Indian batter. With three more Tests remaining, Gill has the opportunity to break more records, including Don Bradman’s 88-year-old record for most runs as captain in a Test series. Bradman scored 810 runs in five Tests in the 1936–37 Ashes, averaging 90 with three hundreds, and Gill is just 225 runs away from that mark.

“It’s phenomenal. I hope his career will take a new direction. And I believe he’s a middle-order batter. He has just become captain, it’s a honeymoon period. But there would be more pressure with time. The pressure will build in the next three Tests."

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Despite India’s emphatic win, Ganguly warned that they must start afresh at Lord’s. “It’s just one-all. There’s still a lot to play for with three matches to go. India played well, and have been playing well. They may have lost at Headingley but they played well. But again, you have to start from scratch in the next match (at Lord’s)."

(With inputs from PTI)

About the Author Ritayan Basu Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha... Read More Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha... Read More

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First Published: July 08, 2025, 23:15 IST

News cricket Ganguly Says Gill On 'Honeymoon Period' As Captain: '..More Pressure With Time'

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