# Matthew Hayden backs Shubman Gill to lead India to WTC final

2026-08-13T13:07:03+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Matthew Hayden has backed Indian Test captain Shubman Gill to handle the challenges facing the team, including qualification for the 2027 World Test Championship final. Speaking ahead of the Australia-Bangladesh Test, Hayden said India has work to do in the longer format despite strength in white-ball cricket. India is fifth in the WTC standings with four wins, four losses and one draw from nine matches. The final is scheduled for June next year. Hayden, who coached Gill at Gujarat Titans, called him 'a wonderful young man and a good leader'.

## Coverage

- sports.ndtv.com <https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/shubman-gill-has-1-big-challenge-in-order-to-qualify-for-wtc-2027-final-matthew-hayden-sums-it-up-11900319#publisher=newsstand>
- sports.ndtv.com <https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/shubman-gill-has-1-big-challenge-in-order-to-qualify-for-wtc-2027-final-matthew-hayden-sums-it-up-11900319>

Tags: consistency, India Test cricket, Matthew Hayden, Shubman Gill, WTC 2027
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