Legendary Indian captain Kapil Dev is confident about Shubman Gill’s prospects as a Test captain, as the youngster embarks on a challenging series starting Friday at Headingley, Leeds. For the 25-year-old Gill, this marks the beginning of a new journey. He will lead India's transition in Test cricket following the retirements of Ravichandran Ashwin from all forms of international cricket, and Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli from red-ball cricket.

"Achha aur talented baccha hai [He’s a good and talented boy] - and now, the captain of the Indian team," Kapil Dev was quoted as saying by Times of India on the sidelines of an event organised by Three Sixty to commemorate his iconic unbeaten 175 during the 1983 World Cup match against Zimbabwe.

Kapil also expressed confidence that Gill would win the five-match Test series and bring home the trophy. "I’m sure he will return with the trophy in hand. We feel very proud and wish them all the luck. I hope they come back victorious and play to their full potential," the 66-year-old said.

India last won a Test series in England in 2007 under Rahul Dravid's captaincy. Before that, India won Test series in England in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar and in 1986 under Kapil Dev.

Following the retirements of Ashwin, Rohit, and Kohli, the Indian team has been revamped with fresh faces like Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Dhruv Jurel being drafted into the squad, while Karun Nair, who last played for India nearly eight years ago, has been recalled.

Senior players like Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant - who is the vice-captain - form the core of the team.

Despite the lack of experience - with Gill himself being a 32-Test-old batter - Kapil Dev urged people not to label this side as "inexperienced."

"Today they may be inexperienced, but tomorrow they’ll be experienced. I have confidence in this bunch of players. They will do something special. I just want to say — just go out there and play. That’s it. Enjoy yourself, this is all I want to say to this Indian side," the 1983 World Cup-winning captain said.

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