Shubman Gill or Jasprit Bumrah: Who Fits India Test Captain’s Shoes?

The race for India's Test captaincy is getting heated up after Rohit Sharma's sudden retirement from the longest format of the game. Rohit led the team for four years and emerged as one of the most successful captains to emerge from the country. He led India in 24 Tests with 12 wins and nine defeats. Five matches under his leadership ended in a draw.

However, the race has quickened up for the Test captaincy role as India's tour of England is approaching fast. Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah are the two options in the race. While Bumrah was Rohit's deputy during the latter's captaincy tenure and should be the direct choice for the role as per the hierarchy, Gill is seen as India's future captain across formats.

Both of them are first-choice players in the playing XI for the Test team, and it remains to be seen who the selectors trust. But one thing is certain. Both Bumrah and Gill are quite capable of leading India and will be key for the team's future in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Who will be the next India Test Captain?

The responsibility of being India Test captain is not easy. The player must be able to perform in red-ball cricket consistently. Players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma successfully did that and led their teams from the front during their respective tenures. The upcoming India Test captain will be expected to follow the same path as well.

1. Shubman Gill

Gill is probably the frontrunner to become the next India Test captain, according to several reports. The top order batter has been a consistent part of India's Test team lately. However, he hasn't performed at his best so far in the longest format of the game. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy played in Australia last year, Gill failed to make much of an impact with the bat, which further raises questions over his game in Test cricket.

Although he has been excellent in white-ball formats, Shubman Gill has struggled to make a mark in Test cricket. While the selectors are adamant to give him chances, the pressure is increasing on him to showcase his worth soon. The fact that he is young will work in his favor as the selectors will be looking for a long-term option.

Batting Stats

2. Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah is probably another option to become the next India Test captain. The fast bowler has already led the team in three games and showcased his brilliant leadership skills. Notably, he led India to a historic win in Perth in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He led from the front in that match to help India take an early lead in the series.

However, Bumrah's constant fitness concerns are likely to work against him. He has a history of injuries and was injured during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year. Bumrah might be a shrewd captain, but his workload needs to be managed carefully, and the Indian team management knows it well. As a result, he might not be considered for the role of India Test captain.

Bowling Stats

3. Rishabh Pant

Another option for this role could be India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant. Pant is yet to make a mark in the white-ball formats but has been exceptional in Test cricket so far. The left-hander has an aggressive mindset and could bring that part into his leadership as well.

Pant is also an improved wicketkeeper alongside being a quality Test batter. He features regularly in India's Test team, which makes him a perfect contender for India Test captain. However, his limited captaincy record isn't the best, as it can be seen during his tenure with the LSG in IPL 2025.

Batting & Wicketkeeping Stats

The squad for India's tour of England will be picked by the selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, at the end of May 2025. The series will be India's first in the new WTC cycle, and it is believed that the selectors are looking at a long-term option like Shubman Gill for the role of India Test captaincy. However, it is not official yet, and it remains to be seen who gets preferred for the big responsibility.