Following his success in guiding India to two ICC titles in one year, Rohit Sharma has stunned the cricket world by stating that he will retire from Test cricket. The move has brought widespread debate as to who India’s next Test skipper should be.
Rohit Sharma Bows Out of Test Cricket
Rohit Sharma, India’s most successful captain in recent times, has resigned from Test cricket after leading India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy in a short period. His leadership, composed nature, and strategic thinking have been instrumental in India’s success in recent times across all formats.
Now, with India gearing up for a pivotal five-match Test series in England this June, everyone is looking to the selection committee to announce his replacement in the longest version of the game.
Shubman Gill Emerging as the Front-Runner
According to reports from Indian media, 25-year-old opener Shubman Gill is emerging as the front-runner for the role of India’s next Test captain. The selectors are said to be favoring Gill because of his young spirit, consistent form, and capability to lead the team in the long term.
Recently named vice-captain of India’s ODI team, Gill has also taken charge in the T20 format, gaining valuable leadership experience across formats. If appointed, the England tour would be his debut series as Test captain — an important responsibility as India starts its campaign in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
Why Not Jasprit Bumrah?
Although the present Test vice-captain, Jasprit Bumrah, was appointed India’s stand-in skipper during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, selectors are not looking to give him the permanent captaincy responsibilities. The reason for this is his workload as a pace bowler and constant doubts surrounding his fitness.
Led by Ajit Agarkar, India’s selection panel is likely to meet later this month to confirm the squad for the England series and announce the new leader for the Test side.
Shubman Gill’s Test Career So Far
Shubman Gill began his Test career in December 2020 at the renowned MCG in Melbourne, stepping into the world of red-ball cricket for the first time. Since making his debut, he has featured in 32 Test matches, amassing 1,893 runs, including five impressive centuries and seven well-crafted fifties.
His classy strokeplay, temperament, and capacity to cope in testing conditions have made him a trusted choice at the top of the order. His leadership qualities are now going to be put to the test on the big stage if entrusted with the captaincy.
A New Era for Indian Test Cricket
The upcoming tour of England could signal the dawn of a new chapter in Indian Test cricket. With Rohit Sharma stepping away, the onus is now on the selectors to ensure a smooth and strategic shift in leadership. If Gill is chosen, India will be hoping to form a young, vibrant team capable of competing at the top for the next few years.
