India Test Captain selection is now the biggest priority for the BCCI following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who led India in two Tests during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, has officially ruled himself out of the race for full-time leadership.
Bumrah was India’s stand-in captain for the 1st and 5th Tests against Australia in the BGT series. With Sharma unavailable and later rested, Bumrah took charge and performed admirably. However, he does not wish to take on the leadership burden full-time, especially with the five-match England series beginning June 20. The pacer has concerns about managing his workload across all formats.
Gill and Pant in Line for India Test Captain Role
The BCCI is now considering younger players to fill the void. Reports suggest Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are the front-runners to become the next India Test Captain.
Gill, a top-order batter, has been a consistent member of the Test side, while Pant remains the preferred wicketkeeper in red-ball cricket. Pant’s leadership potential and aggressive playing style add weight to his candidature.
The final decision on India’s Test captain and the squad for the England series is expected by May 24.
âš½ Lack of Senior Options Adds to BCCI’s Challenge
The BCCI’s task is more challenging due to the lack of experienced players in the current Test pool. Veterans like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara are no longer in the squad, while Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket in December 2024. Virat Kohli is reportedly in discussions with the board about his own red-ball retirement.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma will continue to captain the ODI team. Suryakumar Yadav is leading the T20I squad successfully.
The upcoming decision on the India Test Captain will play a key role in shaping the team’s future, especially with England known for their tough home conditions under Ben Stokes’ leadership.
