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With Rohit Sharma officially retiring from Test cricket, Indian cricket is at a crossroads in determining the next India Test captain. For the BCCI and its selectors, naming the next red-ball leader is not an easy call. Unlike the smooth transitions from Ganguly to Dravid or Dhoni to Kohli, this time, there’s no clear successor waiting in the wings.
Leadership Vacuum Post Rohit Sharma
When Rohit took over the Test captaincy in his mid-30s, it was evident that his tenure wouldn’t match the longevity of his predecessors. Yet, leading India for nearly four years, he ensured a steady phase for the team. Now, the search for his successor becomes a critical decision for Indian cricket’s long-term future.
Is Jasprit Bumrah Still in the Race for India Test Captain?
Six months ago, Jasprit Bumrah was tipped to become India’s next Test captain. However, with recurring injuries—particularly a stress fracture that sidelined him for four months—his fitness makes him an unreliable choice. Bumrah, though brilliant with the ball, has captained India in three Tests, winning one. His inability to play extended series, especially abroad, makes his case weaker.
Shubman Gill:
Enter Shubman Gill. At 25, he is young, calm, and shows great maturity both as a batter and leader. His captaincy of Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025 has been widely praised, and the team’s success underlines his leadership potential. BCCI appears to be grooming Gill for a long-term leadership role.
However, there are concerns. Gill has scored 1893 runs in 32 Tests, with a home average of 35 and five centuries. But his overseas record tells a different story—649 runs in 13 Tests, with just one hundred and two fifties. His technical struggles outside Asia, especially against the swinging ball, remain a hurdle.
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A Defining England Tour Ahead
India’s upcoming tour of England will be a litmus test for Gill. With more seniority in the batting lineup now, the pressure is on him to deliver and lead from the front. A strong series in England could silence his critics and pave the way for him to become the next long-term Test captain.
While Bumrah’s injury history rules him out, Gill is emerging as the most promising candidate. With age, form, and leadership signs in his favor, the BCCI might soon hand him the reins of Indian Test cricket. But only time—and performances abroad—will tell if he’s truly ready.
