Jasprit Bumrah opts out of test captaincy; 2 candidates emerge - Reports

Jasprit Bumrah led India in two tests in Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

After Rohit Sharma’s retirement from test cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has the crucial responsibility of finding a new skipper for the red-ball format. The BCCI is expected to discuss and nominate the new test skipper in a meeting next week. According to the latest reports, Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has opted out of the test captaincy.

Bumrah is the most crucial bowler for the national side and is a regular member across all three formats. Notably, the right-arm pacer also led the Indian Cricket Team in a few tests in the past in Sharma’s absence. For instance, Bumrah led the side in the first and fifth tests against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 when Sharma was unavailable and then rested himself.

However, he does not want to lead the test side as he’s also unsure of playing all five games in the forthcoming England tour. India will clash with England in five tests starting June 20. Hence, they need a strong skipper to lead the side against the Ben Stokes-led side, who are known to dominate in home conditions.

Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant front-runners to be India’s next test captain

Notably, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are the front-runners to be picked as India’s next test captain, according to reports. Gill has been a regular member of the test side for the last few years as an opener and top-order batter.

On the other hand, Pant is the first-choice wicket keeper for India Cricket Team when it comes to the longest format. Indian selectors are going to finalize the India squad for the England series by May 24. Hence, there are almost two weeks left for BCCI to nominate the new skipper.

Notably, BCCI are short of experienced members for test skippers in such a scenario. Veteran batters like Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have already lost their spots in the test side. Star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin retired from international cricket in December 2024 and Virat Kohli is in talks with BCCI over his test retirement.

Meanwhile, Sharma will continue to lead India team in ODIs. He pulled down the curtains on his test career on May 7. Suryakumar Yadav is the skipper of the T20I team and has done a marvellous job after taking over the role last year.

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