12 Aug 2025 : After lighting up the England summer with a monumental 754-run effort across five gruelling Tests, Shubman Gill could have easily chosen to take a breather. Instead, the newly-appointed Indian Test captain has decided to lead North Zone in the Duleep Trophy, drawing high praise from one of the game’s greatest voices, Sunil Gavaskar.
Gavaskar lauded Gill’s decision to return to the domestic circuit so soon after a demanding overseas tour in his column for Sportstar. The 25-year-old opener is set to lead North Zone in their opening clash against East Zone on August 28 in Bengaluru, just four weeks after the last Test against England wrapped up.
The BCCI’s call not to squeeze in a white-ball tour to Sri Lanka after the Bangladesh tour was postponed opened the door for top players to reinvest in domestic cricket. While several fast bowlers are being rested following the England tour, Gill’s choice to stay engaged reflects a long-term commitment to India’s first-class structure.
“It was good, therefore, to see that after the tour to Bangladesh was postponed to next year, the BCCI resisted the pressure to send a team for a white-ball series to Sri Lanka this month,” Gavaskar wrote. “By doing that, the BCCI have prioritised domestic cricket, as it means that now most, if not all, of the top players will be available to play in the Duleep Trophy.”
Gavaskar pointed to Gill’s participation as a symbolic and significant boost for the tournament. “Shubman Gill, captaining the North Zone team, is a massive shot in the arm for this tournament. By being available, the Indian skipper is sending the right signal to the other members of the team,” he wrote.
“It would have been understandable if, after a gruelling tour where five Test matches were crammed in a little over six weeks, he had opted to rest. The fast bowlers not playing is good thinking, as it has been an unusually hot summer in England, thanks to global warming, and their energies must have been expended after the untiring spells they bowled throughout the series,” the legendary cricketer added.
Summary :
Sunil Gavaskar believes Shubman Gill’s inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad sends a strong message to Team India members, showcasing his commitment, form, and leadership ambitions.