Shubman Gill’s captaincy debut for India at Headingley ended in a five-wicket defeat against England, despite his first-innings century. England chased down 371, overshadowing Gill’s promising start. The article revisits the debuts of the previous ten Indian Test captains, highlighting varied outcomes from victories under Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble to Virat Kohli’s valiant effort in Adelaide.