As India prepare to swap the fast-paced world of T20 cricket for the demands of the longest format, captain Shubman Gill believes there is still nothing in the game that compares to Test cricket.India begin their red-ball season with a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur on Saturday. While the fixture does not count towards the World Test Championship standings, Gill made it clear that the occasion carries plenty of significance for a side looking to build momentum ahead of a crucial stretch of Test cricket.Speaking in a video released by the BCCI, Gill described Test cricket as the format that gives him the greatest satisfaction as a player.“For me, this is the most satisfying format. If you do well in this format, that’s how I feel most good about myself. The feel of wearing the whites, wearing the baggy cap. Nothing beats that, it’s the traditional way, the OG way of playing cricket,” he said.The timing of the Test presents a unique challenge for India’s players. Just days after the conclusion of another IPL season, many members of the squad must now readjust to the physical and mental demands of five-day cricket.Gill acknowledged that the transition is far from straightforward.“The weather is very different. You play T20 at night and now it’s almost 40 degrees so there’s a lot of mental challenges that comes into play. And apart from all the technicalities you have to change, adapting for this format especially is why the format is so great and gives you so much respect around the world,” he explained.India’s squad also features several younger faces, many of whom Gill has encountered during his journey through the national setup. The captain expressed confidence in the next generation and believes they have the potential to serve Indian cricket for years to come.“I have played with most of them in the Indian setup and whenever we have had a series, be it abroad or in tour games, they have shown they are very exciting young talents. Hopefully they are going to represent, work hard and serve the country for a very long time.”For Gill personally, leading India remains one of the proudest moments of his career. The Punjab batter grew up playing cricket in the region and admitted captaining the national side in front of familiar surroundings makes the occasion even more special.“To be able to lead my country, I always dreamt about playing for the country, let alone leading the country. It’s a very big privilege for me to do it here in front of my home ground where I grew up playing.”While India enter the contest as favourites, Gill was quick to dismiss any suggestion that Afghanistan should be underestimated. He pointed to the remarkable progress Afghanistan have made since the two teams first met in Test cricket in 2018.“I remember the Test we played against them and the journey that they have had from there. Playing a World Cup semi-final, a T20 World Cup semi-final, they have done really well in all the ICC tournaments. The kind of talent that they have, they are not a lesser opposition for us. They have got really good talent, they are an amazing team and it’s going to be a very interesting Test match.”Although the match does not offer World Test Championship points, Gill believes it could prove crucial in helping India prepare for what lies ahead. Following the Afghanistan fixture, India have nine championship Tests remaining in the current cycle, making this encounter an important opportunity to fine-tune combinations and regain their red-ball rhythm.“We’ve got a very exciting opportunity to play this Test match and then we’ve got nine Tests before the WTC final. So this Test match is very important for us for preparation.”For a young Indian side navigating a period of transition, the Afghanistan Test may not impact the standings, but it offers something equally valuable: a chance to sharpen habits, build confidence and lay the foundation for the challenges that await in the months ahead.
