Is Jasprit Bumrah the right choice as India's next Test captain? Shastri differs

The retirement of Rohit Sharma has left the captaincy spot open in the Indian Test setup. There are multiple prospects in the race to become India's next Test captain, each bringing significant skill to the mix. The discussion, ramped up before the India tour of England, centers around the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill. Many in the fraternity have opined that Bumrah, for his experience, should be chosen as the next leader of India in whites. However, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has brought up a contrasting explanation to the debate. While the pacer has led Team India on multiple occasions in the past, his fitness poses a hurdle in his Test captaincy aspirations.

Ravi Shastri backs Shubman Gill to become India's next Test captain

Speculations are rife about Shubman Gill being made India's Test captain after the retirement of Rohit Sharma. However, the discussion has picked up mixed reactions, with Gill's batting records in overseas conditions defying his case for the role. The 25-year-old is yet to make a half-century in SENA countries, following the 2020-21 BGT where he debuted in Indian Test whites. However, with plenty of time in his account to be groomed and improve his form, Gill is apparently eyed as the long-term captaincy prospect for Team India. Meanwhile, Ravi Shastri has also backed his case, putting him ahead of Jasprit Bumrah in the race to become India's next Test captain.

Ravi Shastri has shed light on why he’s against the idea of Jasprit Bumrah becoming India’s next Test captain, despite acknowledging that the pacer is a natural contender. With Rohit Sharma stepping down from the longest format, the hunt is on for a new leader in whites. Given Bumrah’s impactful leadership during the BorderGavaskar Trophy, many believed he was the obvious successor. However, recent developments indicate that Bumrah may have opted out of the captaincy race.

In his absence, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant have reportedly emerged as the leading candidates. Speaking to the ICC, Shastri explained that while Bumrah’s name makes sense on paper, handing him the captaincy could come at a cost, it might diminish his effectiveness as a bowler. The former India head coach further emphasized that Bumrah is still managing his return from a major injury and should focus on taking things step by step. Given his ongoing IPL commitments, Shastri believes piling on the additional responsibility of leading the Test side could do more harm than good as Bumrah transitions back into the rigors of red-ball cricket.

"See for me, Jasprit would have been the obvious choice after Australia But I don’t want Jasprit to be made captain and then you lose him as a bowler. I think he has to take his body one game at a time. He's coming back now after a serious injury," Shastri said. "He'll have played IPL cricket, which is four-over cricket. Now will come the test of bowling 10 overs, 15 overs. And the last thing you want is some pressure on his mind being captain as well,” he added.

When asked to weigh in on potential leadership options, Shastri pointed to Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as promising candidates, saying they should be nurtured into the role and allowed time to grow into it. The official call on India’s next Test captain is expected to be made when selectors name the squad for the upcoming England tour. The five-match Test series is set to begin on June 20.

“You groom somebody and I would say Shubman’s looked very good. Give him the opportunity. He's 25, 26 years of age, even give him time,” Shastri stated. "There's Rishabh as well. I think these two are the obvious ones I'm looking at because of their age and they have a decade ahead of them. So, let them learn They've got experience as captains now, captaining their franchise and that makes a difference."