Since Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, a big question has emerged: who will be the next face of Indian cricket in the longest format of the game? Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, in his typically articulate style, assured fans that there is no dearth of talent to fill the vacuum. Since the beginning of the 21st century, India has seen Sachin Tendulkar emerge as the poster boy of the game. After his retirement, MS Dhoni took over as the next big figure in Indian cricket. Then came Virat Kohli. Now, Shastri believes the new captain, Shubman Gill, is ready to take on the sacred position. The 1983 World Cup-winning all-rounder also named youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal as a potential big star of the game.

“Shubman Gill will be the next one. There’ll be Yashasvi Jaiswal too. Somehow, they always like batsmen,” Shastri told Stick To Cricket.

“The start he’s had now, with his captaincy and the runs he’s made, he’ll be the pin-up boy for sure. He’s young, fresh, has the looks. Now is the time to cash in,” he added.

Gill was appointed India’s Test captain after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the format in May. The youngster is currently leading India in the ongoing England tour. Despite the tense moments during the Lord’s Test - where Gill used a curse phrase at Zak Crawley for his time-delaying tactics on Day 4 of the third Test - Shastri maintained confidence in the skipper’s temperament.

“He’s calm. You saw him finger-pointing, but with exposure and time, I think he’ll settle down.”

India are currently trailing 1-2 in the Test series against England after losing the Lord’s Test by 22 runs. In the fourth Test at Old Trafford, India posted 358 in the first innings. In reply, England reached 544 by stumps on Day 3.

The biggest concern for India, however, is the injury to Rishabh Pant, who suffered a foot injury during the Old Trafford Test.