‘Massive shot in arm’- Sunil Gavaskar on Shubman Gill captaining North Zone in Duleep Trophy 2025

Former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar has stated that current India Test captain Shubman Gill leading the North Zone team is a huge shot in the arm for the Duleep Trophy 2025 tournament. He stated that Gill playing in this tournament also sends a message to other members of the Indian team.

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As the test side's captain, Shubman Gill has led by example ever since he was selected. He demonstrated his abilities in his maiden series as captain by scoring a ton of runs and finishing as the series' top scorer against England.

There were several questions around his selection as the test captain. However, he disproved everyone by scoring 754 runs, including three centuries and one double century, under trying English circumstances.

Shubman Gill also offered himself to play in the Duleep Trophy after the England visit. All of the young players will undoubtedly be greatly motivated by the fact that the top batter will be captaining the North Zone squad.

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Sunil Gavaskar praises Shubman Gill for playing in the Duleep Trophy after a grueling England tour

Shubman Gill's decision impressed Sunil Gavaskar, who stated that although the batsman had the option to rest, he sent a powerful statement by making himself accessible. Additionally, he recommended relaxation for the England tour's fast bowlers.

"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. It would have been understandable if, after a grueling tour where five Test matches were crammed into a little over six weeks, he had opted to rest,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

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“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,” he added.

The Duleep Trophy 2025 will begin on 28th August, and the tournament has reverted to its traditional zonal format, featuring four teams.

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