Shubman Gill took charge of the Indian Test team as captain after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from the format just a month before the start of the England tour in the summer.
Gill was named the leader of a side which comprised several young players, alongside some old horses like KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
The Punjab-born cricketer came out with flying colours in his first-ever assignment as his side held England to a 2-2 draw in the series and registered a historic win in the final Test at the Oval.
Now, the focus shifts to a home Test series against West Indies and Gill is prepared to lead the Indian team on home soil for the first time.
READ: Where to watch India vs. West Indies: Latest team news and TV information
Shubman Gill determined to reach WTC 2025-27 final
After making it to the final in the first two editions of the World Test Championship, which they lost to New Zealand and Australia, respectively, India failed to make it to the final game in the last edition, after losing back-to-back Test series in a humiliating manner against New Zealand at home and Australia down under.
Gill is now determined to lead the team to the final of the competition once again as he shared his thoughts on the current cycle of the WTC ahead of their two-match series against the West Indies.
Speaking on JioStar, the India captain said: "You are playing everything to win. I play everything to win. You have an opportunity to play to play in the final after two years of hard work. I feel even after having such a strong side, with so much talent, if we don't play the WTC final, then we should be disappointed."
MORE: How many WTC points will India get if they beat WI?
He added: "I want all the players in the squad to be secure about what they have to do to be in this team. Our full effort will be directed towards that. And then if some team plays better cricket than us and beats us, that is allowed."
What next for the Indian cricket team?
India ended Day 1 of the first Test in Ahmedabad on a bright note. After bowling out the visitors for just 162 runs, courtesy of Mohammed Siraj's four wickets, India ended the day at 121/2, with Gill and KL Rahul on the crease.