With Rohit Sharma's recent retirement from Test cricket, the Indian cricket team faces a crucial decision in selecting its next captain, especially as they gear up for a five-match Test series against England. Former India coach Ravi Shastri has weighed in on the debate, suggesting that the selectors should prioritize youth and longevity when choosing the newTest captain. While Jasprit Bumrah might have been an obvious choice, Shastri believes that burdening him with captaincy could be detrimental to his bowling, especially considering his recent injury struggles. Instead, Shastri has named Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as his top picks for the role.
Shastri's reservations about appointing Bumrah as captain stem from concerns about his workload and injury history. Bumrah, who served as vice-captain under Rohit Sharma, has already led India in a few Test matches. However, he has been sidelined for considerable periods due to a back injury, including missing India's victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. Shastri believes that adding the pressure of captaincy to Bumrah's workload could increase the risk of further injuries and potentially lead to him being lost as a bowler. He emphasized the need for Bumrah to manage his body and workload carefully, especially as he returns from a serious injury.
Instead of Bumrah, Shastri has strongly advocated for Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, citing their age, leadership experience, and potential for long careers. Both Gill, 25, and Pant, 27, have captained their respective franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL), providing them with valuable leadership experience. Shastri noted that this experience of leading teams in the high-pressure environment of the IPL would be beneficial as they transition to leading the national side.
Shubman Gill has been viewed as a future captaincy candidate for a while. Gill also captained India in a T20I series in Zimbabwe, leading the team to a 4-1 victory. Despite concerns about Gill's overseas record in Test matches, Shastri has defended the young batter, emphasizing his class and potential to succeed in all conditions. Shastri believes that Gill should be given the opportunity to play and gain experience overseas, and is confident that he will eventually score runs and establish himself as a successful Test player.
Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, has also been recognized for his leadership qualities and has captained India in T20Is. While Pant's recent form in the IPL has been inconsistent, he remains a key player in the Indian Test team, particularly known for his aggressive batting and match-winning abilities. Shastri believes that Pant's leadership experience and proven Test record make him a strong contender for the captaincy.
Other names have also been mentioned in the captaincy debate, including KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. However, Shastri's emphasis on youth and longevity appears to favor Gill and Pant as the frontrunners for the role. Ultimately, the decision of who will be India's next Test captain rests with the BCCI selection committee. The committee is expected to consider various factors, including leadership experience, current form, and long-term potential, before making a final decision.
