Following Rohit Sharma's recent retirement from Test cricket, the Indian selection committee faces the pressing task of naming a new captain, especially with the crucial five-Test series in England looming. Former chairman of selectors, MSK Prasad, has weighed in on the matter, advocating for Jasprit Bumrah to take over the leadership role in the upcoming England Tests.
Prasad dismissed any concerns regarding Bumrah's fitness, emphasizing that when fit, the fast bowler is the ideal choice to lead India in red-ball cricket. He also suggested Shubman Gill as Bumrah's deputy for the England tour.
Several other names have also emerged as potential candidates to succeed Sharma. Shubman Gill, already with some captaincy experience, is considered a frontrunner. He has led India in five T20Is, securing four wins, and has been captaining the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. KL Rahul is another experienced player who has captained India in three Test matches, winning two. Rishabh Pant, who has led in T20Is and has a good IPL captaincy record, is also in contention. Even Virat Kohli, the most successful Test captain for India, could be considered for the role, given his wealth of experience in overseas conditions.
Bumrah's captaincy record includes leading India in the rescheduled fifth Test against England in 2022, and captaining in Perth where India crushed Australia by 295 runs. However, his appearances as captain have been limited by injuries.
The selectors' decision to move on from Rohit Sharma was influenced by his red-ball form, particularly outside India. While Sharma averaged a decent 40.57 in his 67 Tests, his average dropped to 31.01 in Tests played abroad.
Ultimately, the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will have to weigh the pros and cons of each candidate before making their crucial decision. The choice of captain will be vital, with India set to play Test series against England, West Indies, and South Africa in the coming year. The series in England, in particular, will be a significant test of leadership in challenging foreign conditions.
