As India’s young Test side continues its five-match series in England, legendary former captain Kapil Dev has called for patience and perspective regarding the leadership of newly appointed skipper Shubman Gill.

Speaking recently at a public event, Kapil emphasised that Gill and his youthful squad require time to mature.

“This is a new team, they are getting the opportunity to play and in the coming days these players will win. It is just a new team. Any new team in the world takes time to adjust,” said Kapil.

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“Gill is a new captain, and he will learn a lot. I think this series will be a learning step,” he added.

He urged critics to show restraint and allow the youngster time to settle into the role.

“Give him time. This is his first series; he will commit mistakes and there will be many positives over the period of time. He will learn. There is no problem if he is learning… he is learning from his mistakes, that is very important,” the 1983 World cup winning captain added.

Shubman Gill, 25, took over the Test captaincy earlier this year following the retirements of senior players like Rohit Sharma nd Virat Kohli.

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The England series marked his leadership debut, and he made an immediate impression with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 127 in his first match at Headingley.

He followed that up with a century and then a remarkable double century in the Edgbaston Test, establishing himself as a vital presence in India’s top order.

His performances with the bat have drawn admiration, even as the team’s results have been mixed.

Despite Gill’s heroics, India trail 1–2 in the five-match series as both teams are fighting it out for establishing their supremacy at the ongoing fourth Test at Old Trafford.

England have thus far capitalised on home conditions and a more experienced lineup to gain the upper hand.

On Day 4 in Manchester, England posted a towering first innings total of 669, with captain Ben Stokes notching a century and also claiming a five-wicket haul—becoming only the fourth English player to achieve such a feat in the same match.

India’s top order was rattled early by Chris Woakes, but a gritty 174-run partnership between Shubman Gill and KL Rahul helped the visitors recover.

Their stand ensured India remained competitive going into the final stages of the match, with a deficit of 137 still to overcome.

Meanwhile, Kapil Dev also weighed in on Jasprit Bumrah’s selective participation in the series, defending the pacer’s workload management.

“Everybody is different… he is one of the fast bowlers we have… his action is so awkward and difficult to sustain, yet he is delivering for the Indian team. Hats off to him,” he added.

In a comparison between two modern all-rounders, Kapil also voiced his preference for India’s Ravindra Jadeja over England’s Ben Stokes.

“Stokes is a good all-rounder, but I still feel Jadeja is ahead. He is performing far better,” said the legendary cricketer.

Gill’s individual numbers have been extraordinary, but his leadership credentials are still in their early stages. Kapil Dev’s message is a reminder that cricketing leadership is a journey built on both triumphs and setbacks.

As the young skipper continues to find his feet in one of the game’s most scrutinised roles, the current tour of England could prove to be a defining chapter—not just for Gill, but for the future direction of Indian Test cricket.

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