Team India are all set to enter a new chapter in its Test cricket journey, with Shubman Gill taking over the captaincy reins for the first time. The highly-anticipated five-match Test series against England will begin on June 20, marking a significant transition period for the Indian side. With stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having recently retired from the longest format, the responsibility now lies with a young and promising leader in Gill.

Despite the absence of two modern-day legends, Indian fans and the management alike are optimistic that Gill’s leadership will bring a fresh energy and tactical approach. This series will be a litmus test for Gill, not only as a batter but also as a tactician. India will be aiming to bounce back and establish dominance at home under his command.

Fans mock Shubman Gill online as he dons Team India blazer for the first time as skipper

As BCCI shared pictures of Gill wearing the Team India blazer ahead of the Test series, social media platforms erupted—not with praise, but with trolls. Many fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to mock the young skipper’s pose, attire, and expressions, with some calling it ‘too dramatic’ while others compared him to fashion models rather than a cricket captain.

The trolling comes as part of the immense pressure that accompanies leading the national side, especially in a cricket-loving nation like India. While some users defended Gill and appreciated his confident look, others didn’t hold back from ridiculing him in memes and sarcastic remarks. The moment was meant to signify a proud milestone in his career, but instead it became an online target for mixed reactions.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Sorry to say but absolutely zero aura 😭😭 https://t.co/3cvC3zgNPN

— Dipankar 🍥 (@DipankrX) June 11, 2025

Good to see you're giving equal opportunity to this women in the men's team

— DHRUV (@Being_Dhruv_) June 11, 2025

Might be the start of a great new era but those are the most auraless pictures of an Indian Test Captain.

— Inswinger (@sarthshah99) June 11, 2025

Not my captain.

Shreyas Iyer was better choice than Gill.

— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) June 11, 2025

Not my test captain. It's @BCCI lobby Test Captain.

— isumeet (@isumeet31) June 11, 2025

most undeserving indian test captain of recent times? https://t.co/0nmHOilHof

— 🦒 (@srijancse) June 11, 2025

My princess

— M. (@IxonicKohli) June 11, 2025

Woman leading the men team. Real Women empowerment ❤️❤️

— Rahul (@BeingTrickyy) June 11, 2025

no man, this is just chaotic😭 pic.twitter.com/DwWh7lzwar

— himanshu (@himanshustwts) June 11, 2025

Men's ya women's team ?

— Bonkers! (@anubhav2good) June 11, 2025

New Test Captain Shubman pic.twitter.com/GucmHiKa6H

— Abhay Chaudhary (@notbelong07) June 11, 2025

Not my captain… Even if he wins 5-0

— Abhy (@abhytwts) June 11, 2025

Captain waali feel nhi aa rhi h

— Being Political (@BeingPolitical1) June 11, 2025

Iyer is a better player and captain than gill. But anyways gambhir have personal grudges with him

— Abdullah (@abdul_tweets03) June 11, 2025

Saar, what is the process to change the captain?

— Ankit Uttam (@ankituttam) June 11, 2025

Just for the record – We want Captain, not a Model

— CricMatters (@cricmatters) June 11, 2025

pic.twitter.com/jbW8v9f2ip

— N. (@EphemeralInnk) June 11, 2025

sorry to say but negative aura 🙁

— Naman Mishra (@ThatNaman) June 11, 2025

Koi bat ka grip nikal do

— OG Chaiwala 🇮🇳 (@notyourchaiwala) June 11, 2025

Indian cricket aggression in Test cricket ended here.

— ANKIT (@AKitOfTweets) June 11, 2025

@BsamaU7 @psssszzz @h0l1day93 a women is captaining our mens team🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Modi ji ki Nari shakti🔥

— 👹 (@G0ATR0H1T) June 11, 2025

Might be the start of a great new era but those are the most auraless pictures of an Indian Test Captain.

— Inswinger (@sarthshah99) June 11, 2025

33% women reservation quota

— berlin (@berlin03693) June 11, 2025

Kya waqt aagaya hai bc … Kabhi King 👑 test team ka captain tha aaj ek sixer test team ka captain hai

— Angry Hulk (@FanofMurakami) June 11, 2025

Also READ: Not Shubman Gill! Monty Panesar names the next Virat Kohli of Indian cricket

Strong line-ups on both sides promise a thrilling Test series

Despite the social media noise, India enter the series with a robust squad that includes vice-captain Rishabh Pant, seasoned campaigners KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah, along with several young talents eager to make a mark. The team looks balanced and ready to take on a formidable England side.

Led by Ben Stokes, the English squad boasts world-class cricketers such as Joe Root, Ben Duckett, and Zak Crawley, making the series one of the most anticipated cricket battles of the year. Both sides have depth in their line-ups and strategic leadership at the helm, promising a high-intensity red-ball showdown. All eyes will be on how Gill steers the team in this new era.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting explains why Shubman Gill should bat at No.4 for India in the Test series against England