Senior India Cricketer Wanted Test Captaincy Return, BCCI Rejected Proposal

Senior India Cricketer Wanted Test Captaincy Return, BCCI Rejected Proposal

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News18.com

Last Updated: May 06, 2025, 09:03 IST

In search of a long-term Test captaincy prospect, the Indian team management reportedly turned down an offer from a senior cricketer.

(From left) India head coach Gautam Gambhir has a chat with senior India stars Rohit Sharma (center) and Virat Kohli. (PTI Photo)

With just over a month to go before the Indian cricket team returns to action with a five-match Test series in England from June 20, the selection committee is expected to pick the squad in the coming few days. Given how India’s previous ICC World Test Championship cycle came to a disappointing end with Test series defeats at home and in Australia, the selectors have their task cut out. A new WTC cycle gives the team management an opportunity to start afresh but there are plenty of questions to be answered.

Chief among them being the future of senior stars including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli who have been under scrutiny for their diminishing returns in the longest format. However, another major task for the selection committee will be planning leadership succession.

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There are reports that while Rohit is expected to continue to lead the Test team, his deputy Jasprit Bumrah might be stripped of the role given his history with injuries and workload management. Shubman Gill, who already is India’s ODI and T20I vice-captain, seems to be the leading contender to succeed Bumrah and is likely to be groomed to take over from Rohit whenever the time arrives.

Rishabh Pant is also among the candidates.

During the Australia tour, Rohit missed the series opener in Perth due to personal reasons with Bumrah leading in his absence and oversaw a memorable win.

Rohit joined the team ahead of the second Test and led in three games before dropping himself from the fifth and final fixture of the tour in Sydney citing his poor form with the bat. Bumrah again led the team but ended up hurting his back during the contest to be pushed to the sidelines for nearly three months.

As per timesofindia.com, a senior India player reportedly showed interest in a return to captaincy, but the team management turned down the idea citing continuity and not wanting a “stop-gap arrangement" for a high-profile series.

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“A new WTC cycle is starting. Future and continuity has to be kept in mind as far as the team is concerned. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would want a set of players he is likely to work with for an extended period. There can’t be any stop-gap solutions for such an important series. The last two Test series haven’t been ideal for the team and the England series is very crucial," the publication quoted a source as claiming.

India’s first Test of England tour starts from June 20 in Leeds.

First Published: May 06, 2025, 09:03 IST

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