With Rohit Sharma sinning out as India’s Test captain, the BCCI is left with the very heavy decision of appointing the captain of the side. The selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, has to pick a captain and vice-captain, especially after Jasprit Bumrah ruled himself out. Bumrah was an ideal candidate, but his series of injuries is pointing the selectors towards alternatives.
There are reports that Shubman Gill is the prime contender to take over after Rohit’s retirement. But cricket great Sunil Gavaskar believes Bumrah should be the one in the chair. His reasoning goes that no one knows Bumrah’s limits better than he does. Gavaskar said that if somebody else is the captain, they might force Bumrah to bowl more than he should, and the best thing would be to give him the captaincy so that Bumrah controls his workload and decides when to back off and when to come on.
Bumrah did lead India to their only victory against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy of 2024-25 but suffered injuries during the series that kept him out of this year’s Champions Trophy and made the BCCI take a cautious stance. Gavaskar isn’t on the same page as the board and backs Bumrah, saying that if Bumrah were captain, he would better be aware of his limitations and not let himself get overexerted.
A new Test captain for India is expected to be named soon; with the England Test series slated for a June 20 start.
