With Rohit Sharma officially stepping away from red-ball cricket, the Indian team management now faces the critical task of appointing his successor as Test captain. The decision, expected in the coming days, is not as straightforward as promoting the current vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah, though he remains one of the leading contenders due to his leadership experience and commitment.
Jasprit Bumrah’s credentials are strong, but concerns surrounding his fitness history cast a shadow over his prospects. Given the rigors of Test cricket and the need for a captain who can lead consistently over an extended period, the selectors might look elsewhere, perhaps toward a younger, more long-term option.
Shubman Gill has emerged as a name that fits this forward-looking approach. Despite never having captained India in Test cricket, the 25 years old cricketer has led the national side in a T20I series and serves as the vice-captain in white-ball formats. His growing stature in the team and calm temperament make him a potential long-term leader. However, some experts believe that he needs more time and exposure, particularly in challenging overseas conditions, before taking on the pressures of Test captaincy.
The former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar expressed this cautionary view, suggesting that while Shubman Gill shows promise, it would be premature to hand him the reins just yet. While speaking on a show, Sanjay Bangar emphasised that Shubman Gill’s real test lies in proving himself consistently outside India and only after doing so, he should be considered for the leadership role.
Sanjay Bangar offered an alternative in KL Rahul, a player with prior captaincy experience and a regular fixture in the Test XI. He pointed to Rahul’s previous stint as stand-in captain during the South Africa tour after Virat Kohli stepped down, recalling one of India’s most competitive matches under his leadership. In Sanjay Bangar’s view, Rahul is a reliable, experienced option who can take charge in the immediate future, allowing Shubman Gill more time to mature into the role.
The broader consensus suggests that while Shubman Gill is undeniably a long-term prospect for India’s Test captaincy, the selectors might favor a more experienced leader like Rahul in the short term. Sanjay Bangar concluded by noting that once the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle concludes, Shubman Gill may be better positioned, both in skill and experience, to lead India into the next phase of its red-ball journey.
