Shubman Gill takes the reins of the Indian Test team and in his very first assignment, he faces one of the toughest tests. India are in England to play a five-Test series and Gill has the responsibility of marshalling the troops. The seniors in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are gone. Jasprit Bumrah will not be available for the whole series. Young batters will have to come to the fore. Challenges just do not end for the new Indian red ball skipper and he will be under pressure for sure.
A look at the past reveals none of India's most successful Test captains could win a series in England in their first try. Rahul Dravid was the skipper when India last won a Test series in England in 2007 but he did not lead India for long. Among those who did, the first tour did not bring the best of the results.
Here is a look at how the five most successful India captain did in their first tour to England as the leader of the side.
Virat Kohli
India's most successful Test captain lost his first Test series in England 4-1 as the skipper in 2018. Although the final scoreline makes the series look one-sided, it was far from it. Kohli top scored in the series with 593 runs and India competed well in all the games, except one, but lost out on key moments to lose games.
MS Dhoni
India's second most successful Test captain had a dreadful debut tour to England as the skipper in 2011. India were thoroughly outplayed game after game and lost the four-match series 4-0. Apart from Rahul Dravid, no other batter stood up while the bowling lacked any teeth.
Sourav Ganguly
Dada, on his first tour to England as captain in 2002, brought India their best result since 1986. India managed to draw the series 1-1. Rahul Dravid was India's star with the bat with 602 runs and Anil Kumble was the hero with the ball who took 14 wickets.
Mohammad Azharuddin
Azharuddin won 14 matches as captain but in his first series as skipper in England, he could not win any. India played three Tests in England in 1990 and despite drawing the last two matches, they lost the series 1-0.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit never captained India in England.
