As India prepares to take on England in the much-anticipated five-Test series beginning June 20, 2025, all eyes are on Shubman Gill, the newly appointed Test captain of the Indian cricket team. England's limited-overs star Jos Buttler, who has shared a dressing room with Gill during the Indian Premier League (IPL), has praised the young Indian skipper as a blend of Rohit Sharma’s calm demeanour and Virat Kohli’s fierce aggression.

Speaking on his podcast For The Love of Cricket alongside former teammate Stuart Broad, Buttler provided unique insights into Gill's temperament and leadership style.

“He’s a really impressive player and an impressive young man,” said Buttler. “He’s pretty calm and measured when he speaks, but on the field, he’s got a bit of fight about him — a bit of intensity, quite passionate.”

A Captain Moulded by Two Greats

Jos Buttler’s observation highlights a critical evolution in Indian cricket captaincy — moving from the high-octane intensity of Virat Kohli to the laid-back composure of Rohit Sharma, and now potentially towards a balanced hybrid in Gill.

“Kohli was that real aggressive character, transformed the Indian team, in your face, up for the contest. Rohit was the opposite — cool, calm, collected, but with fight. I think Shubman will be a mix of the two,” Buttler said.

He further added, “He’s obviously learned from those two guys… but he’ll be very much his own man.”

Buttler’s comments come at a significant moment, as Gill steps into leadership at just 25 years of age, carrying the weight of expectations of over a billion fans and trying to manage the dual challenge of batting and captaincy.

Compartmentalising Roles — A Strategic Approach

According to Buttler, Gill is aware of the pressure and has already begun to compartmentalise his responsibilities as captain and as a batter.

“He talked about compartmentalising batting and captaincy — so when he’s batting, he just wants to be a batter, and then he will focus on his leadership separately.”

This approach mirrors what many successful captain-batters have done in the past to maintain performance and avoid burnout, especially in Test cricket, where concentration and endurance are as important as skill.

India’s Test Captain — A National Icon

Describing the stature of Indian cricket leadership, Buttler remarked that being India’s Test captain is akin to being “the third or fourth-most influential person in the country.”

“I don't think we can quite understand the level of interest and the stardom that these guys have. It’s like being on a pedestal, just behind the Prime Minister. A country of 1.5 billion people, all cricket-mad — it’s a huge job for him.”

He also acknowledged the larger narrative around Gill’s rise in Indian cricket.

“Kohli is the king, Shubman is the prince — that’s the narrative they spin out there. Stepping into that No. 4 spot, it’s big shoes, isn’t it?”

IPL as a Launchpad for Leadership

Gill’s captaincy experience has been shaped significantly through his IPL journey. Having led Gujarat Titans in previous seasons and earned accolades for his tactical acumen and calmness under pressure, the transition to Test captaincy seems natural.

Buttler, who has seen Gill up close during IPL matches, said that the Indian Premier League teams today are as competitive as international squads.

“Some IPL teams would compete well against international sides. A Mumbai Indians XI had 9 or 10 international-level players — and not just any internationals.”

He highlighted that the unique IPL window, which allows for no international scheduling conflict, ensures all top global players participate, giving Indian youth a perfect platform to grow.

“All the best players in the world are available, and the depth in Indian local talent is just growing and growing.”

Vaibhav Suryavanshi: The Next Sensation?

Buttler didn’t stop at discussing Gill. He was also blown away by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who smashed the second-fastest century in IPL history — a 38-ball 101 for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans, also the fastest T20 hundred by an Indian.

“This guy is about 20 years younger than me, and he’s just smashing us all around the park,” said Buttler. “It was inspiring and deflating at the same time.”

Buttler recalled the very first ball of Suryavanshi’s innings:

“He gave himself a bit of room and smacked it over wide long-on for a six. That fearlessness — I love it. These guys are not just talented; they want to make a statement.”

He also mentioned Suryavanshi’s earlier innings of 57 against Chennai Super Kings, calling him possibly “the best player I have ever seen.”

Youth Revolution in Indian Cricket

The emergence of talents like Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and now Vaibhav Suryavanshi reflects the massive structural depth in Indian cricket, particularly at the domestic and franchise levels. The IPL has now become a grooming ground not just for talent but for future leadership.

This generational shift is being recognised globally, with even opponents like Buttler and Broad acknowledging the maturity and competitive edge India’s young cricketers bring to the game.

Eyes on the England Series

As India gears up for the high-stakes five-Test series against England, Shubman Gill will be under immense scrutiny. England, led by Ben Stokes and with seasoned performers like Root, Broad, and Anderson, will be a litmus test for Gill’s mettle both as captain and batter.

The series is also being looked at as a transition point in Indian cricket, with legends like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma entering their twilight years and a new generation preparing to take charge.

Buttler’s analysis provides a window into how international players perceive this transition and how Gill is being seen not just as a promising batsman, but as a true leader in the making.

Conclusion: The Rise of a New Leader

As Jos Buttler aptly puts it, Shubman Gill may carry elements of both Rohit and Kohli, but he is also someone who is defining his own legacy. Whether it is his balanced temperament, strategic approach to dual roles, or calm aggression on the field, Gill represents a new brand of Indian captaincy.

With the pressure of billions of expectations, the glare of global spotlight, and a formidable English team to face, Gill’s real test begins now. And if Buttler’s words are any indication, India may well have found its next iconic leader.

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