Rohit Sharma nominated Jasprit Bumrah as a Test Captain in support: “Why are we hai …”

The debate around the next Test captain of India is heating up, especially with a five-observer series against England, hard and rapid contact. Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement has opened the door for a new captain, which can lead the team forward in the next World Test Championship (WTC) points table. Shubman Gill is currently leading the race beyond Jasprit Bumrah, according to several reports. However, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Gill is not the right choice given the presence of Bumrah.

Bumrah’s fitness issue is a major factor behind Gill’s possible height. Bumrah has a long history of injuries, recently during the fifth and final test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.

However, Manjrekar feels that Bumrah should be in charge of the team, how many games he plays in England.

“Has Bumrah said that it will not be Captain India? Or has he dropped himself out of the England series? Then we are discussing who will do Captain India?” Manjrekar wrote.

Has Bumrah said that he will not be the captain of India? Or is he dropped himself from the England series? Then we are discussing who will do Captain India?

– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjreker) May 18, 2025

“If the availability of Bumrah due to injuries is the issue, do we have only 3 out of 5 trials in AUS not Rohit Captain India in AUS? Availability cannot be all and can not eliminate everyone, the qualification is more important. Especially in tests,” he added to another post.

If the availability of Bumrah due to injuries is the issue, then we do not have Rohit Captain India recently out of 5 tests in AUS? Availability cannot be all and can eliminate everyone, the qualification is far more important. Especially in tests.

– Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjreker) May 18, 2025

India’s next assignment is a five -match series against England, which starts on June 20 in Leeds.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri says that Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are the ideal candidates of Captain India in Test format, given that they have age and already have the experience of major IPL sides.

Shastri also feels that Jasprit Bumrah would have been a clear option for the role of leadership in the traditional format, but for his fitness issues, pacer should be protected from additional burden.

Shastri said in the latest episode of ICC Review with Bumrah’s wife Sanjana Ganesan, “Watch for me, Jasprit would be a clear option after Australia. But I don’t want Jasprit to be made captain and then you lose her as a bowler.

(With PTI input)