In a development that surprised the Indian cricket fraternity, Rohit Sharma has recently called time on his Test career. The announcement came unexpectedly, just weeks ahead of India’s five-match Test tour of England.
India faces a leadership conundrum after Rohit Sharma’s retirement
Rohit, who served as the full-time captain of the Indian Test team since early 2022, was not only one of the team’s most dependable opening batters but also a calming leadership presence in the red-ball format. His decision marks the end of an illustrious Test journey that saw him reinvent himself as an opener in 2019 and lead India to the World Test Championship final in 2023. With his retirement, India now faces a significant void not just in the opening slot, but more crucially, in identifying a successor who can lead the side in the longer format. His absence signals the beginning of a new era, where the responsibility of anchoring the top order and marshalling the team will fall on younger shoulders.
With Rohit’s sudden exit from the Test arena, the Indian team management and selectors are now tasked with choosing a new leader to take the team forward in the longest format. The upcoming five-match series against England, starting June 20, is not just another bilateral assignment—it marks the beginning of India’s World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign. Given the prestige of the series and the challenging English conditions, appointing the right captain is of utmost importance. The selectors are considering multiple names, including fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, stylish top-order batter Shubman Gill and experienced campaigner KL Rahul.
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Anil Kumble suggests alternative skipper in place of Shubman Gill for India England test series
Former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble has thrown his weight behind Bumrah as the ideal candidate to lead India in the England series. Speak to ESPNcricinfo, Kumble believed that while fast bowlers are rarely chosen as captains due to the physical demands of their role, Bumrah has already demonstrated strong leadership credentials during past Test assignments. However, Kumble also acknowledged the toll the role can take on a pacer and suggested appointing a strong vice-captain to support Bumrah through the series.
“Maybe just for this series (against England) with Bumrah, and then see how his fitness is. I know it’s not easy being a fast bowler. He’s had injuries, he was on a break after the Australia series, and is only returning in this IPL. But I’d still go with Bumrah. Whenever that happens, the vice-captain comes in and takes over,” Kumble said.
At 31, Bumrah is at the peak of his fast-bowling career. Widely regarded as one of the most complete pacers in the world, Bumrah has been instrumental in India’s overseas success, especially in challenging conditions like England, South Africa and Australia. However, his career has been punctuated by recurring back injuries and workload concerns, raising legitimate questions about his ability to withstand the demands of a five-Test series.
While Bumrah may be the choice for the immediate assignment, many cricket experts view Gill as the future leader of India’s Test team. At just 25, Gill has already established himself across all three formats and has shown composure, maturity, and technical elegance far beyond his years. His elevation as vice-captain in white-ball formats and his current leadership role in the Indian Premier League, where he has so far led Gujarat Titans with poise, indicate the trust placed in his potential by both selectors and senior management.
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