Dubai, May 17 – Former India head coach Ravi Shastri believes that Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are the most suitable candidates to take over the Test captaincy for India, citing their leadership experience in the Indian Premier League and their ideal age profiles. As per agency report, Shastri expressed concern over the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah being burdened with captaincy duties, despite acknowledging him as an outstanding leader in the traditional format of the game.
Shastri explained that Bumrah would have been a clear choice for the role following the Australia tour, but he does not endorse the idea due to the pacer’s history with injuries. He emphasized that appointing Bumrah as captain could risk losing him as a bowler, which would be a significant blow to the team.
With Rohit Sharma recently announcing his retirement from Test cricket, selectors are now faced with the task of appointing a new captain ahead of India’s five-match Test series against England, scheduled to begin on June 20. Bumrah had previously sustained a back injury during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney, which sidelined him for nearly three months and also kept him out of the Champions Trophy.
Now 31 years old, Bumrah has made a return through the current IPL season, where he has claimed 13 wickets in eight matches. However, Shastri stressed that the intensity and physical demands of IPL matches, which require just four overs of bowling, are vastly different from the demands of Test cricket, where bowlers may need to deliver 10 to 15 overs in an innings. He warned that the mental strain of captaincy, combined with the physical workload, could be detrimental to Bumrah’s long-term performance.
Shastri further suggested that age and longevity should be key considerations when selecting a new captain. Gill, at 25, and Pant, at 27, both represent the future of Indian cricket and offer long-term potential. Gill currently leads Gujarat Titans, while Pant, known for his aggressive batting and wicketkeeping, captains Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
He remarked that both players have the temperament and time needed to grow into the role, noting that giving them the opportunity now would allow them to gain experience and evolve as leaders. According to Shastri, having already led IPL franchises, both Gill and Pant have developed valuable leadership qualities that would aid them at the international level.
He also praised Gill’s calm and composed demeanor, highlighting it as a strong trait for captaincy. Shastri, impressed by Gill’s presence and maturity, believes the top-ranked ICC ODI batsman possesses all the attributes required to lead India in the longer format.
With the Test captaincy up for grabs, Shastri’s recommendation reflects a forward-looking approach focused on grooming young leaders who can guide India through the next decade of international cricket.
