The leading candidate to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain in the future is Jasprit Bumrah, but the legendary pacer doesn’t appear to be a long-term choice because to his persistent fitness issues.
Jasprit Bumrah is the leading candidate to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain in the future, but the legendary pacer doesn’t appear to be a long-term choice due to his persistent fitness issues, the most recent of which being a back spasm that has made him uncertain for the Champions Trophy next month. Given the swelling, Indian selectors are hopeful that he may still play a part in the Champions Trophy. However, when considering the wider picture, it is unclear if Rohit can be considered a permanent Test captain, given that his time in the whites appears to be coming to an end.In order to ensure that the deputy is capable of taking command in the event of an emergency, head selector Ajit Agarkar and his four colleagues must have a solid reputation as vice-captain if Bumrah is healthy and ready to lead the Test team in England.Only Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal are currently considered for Test matches, with the former appearing to be the most qualified candidate.
During Saturday’s BCCI review meeting with Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and Rohit, Bumrah’s lower back problems reportedly came up.
The 31-year-old Bumrah will undoubtedly captain the squad in the opening Test at Headingley if everything goes according to plan, and it is quite doubtful that Rohit would travel to England for the five Test matches after the review meeting.With 32 wickets, the most by an Indian on foreign soil, the pacer was named ‘player of the series’ and led India in Perth and Sydney in the just finished Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having claimed 443 international wickets across formats in just 203 games.
He will be undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru with the goal of competing in the Champions Trophy after his back spasm in the final Test proved to be his undoing, as he was unable to bowl in the second innings.
Given his workload as the pace spearhead in Test matches and his requirement to participate in ICC white-ball competitions, the ailment has sparked concerns about Bumrah’s ability to stay healthy for extended periods of time.Given that Bumrah is now past his prime, there is no assurance that he won’t experience additional breakdowns during the upcoming WTC cycle, which runs from June 2025 to June 2027.
As a result, the selectors may be inclined to have a backup plan in place, which would be to recruit a vice-captain who is just as qualified for the captaincy.
It’s a really easy thing for me. In Test cricket, you can determine who is a sure pick by looking at the facts. Pant and Bumrah have each played 43 and 45 Test matches. At the age of 23, Pant, who is currently 27 years old, won one of India’s most memorable Test matches at the Gabba by himself.According to former national selector Devang Gandhi, he should be the vice captain since he wins matches and serves as a good sounding board for bowlers.
Given his bowling workload, Bumrah cannot be a long-term solution as Test captain, according to another former India keeper, Deep Dasgupta.
“We are discussing more than simply the major series (Australia, England). There will be ICC events in between Test matches where Bumrah’s attendance is essential. For example, the Champions Trophy is being held this year, while the T20 World Cup will be held the following year. He is handling it well by not playing bilaterals, but he will have to do so closer to the events. The workload for bowling then becomes crucial. Remember the two months of the Indian Premier League,” Dasgupta clarified.”So even as Bumrah starts as the next Test captain, there is a need for a strong vice-captain, and yes Pant fits the bill,” he stated.
Since Jaiswal will lead India’s batting attack in the days ahead and it will be some time before the establishment considers him for a leadership position, both thought that he shouldn’t be saddled with the vice-captaincy.
