Jasprit Bumrah was the top contender to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain. He led the team to a win in the only Test he captained during the previous Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. However, his injury issues likely cost him the top job, paving the way for Shubman Gill to take over.
Bumrah’s injury woes began during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He was forced to leave the field due to a pitch-related injury and was out of action for an extended period. This wasn’t the first time he’s been sidelined due to injuries; he was also out for 11 months before the 2022 T20 World Cup.
These recurring injuries likely made selectors think twice about burdening him with the additional responsibility of captaincy. Gill, on the other hand, has been consistent in Test cricket, making him an attractive alternative.
A Sudden Rise to Captaincy
Gill wasn’t the unanimous choice for the top job. A recent report by PTI suggested that some influential people in Indian cricket were unhappy with his sudden rise to captaincy. Despite this, the BCCI chose Gill as the new captain and informed him about the decision.
A recent meeting between Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir in Delhi has all but confirmed his appointment as the new captain. Gambhir was in Mumbai recently, fueling speculation about Gill’s readiness to take on the role.
Leadership Experience
Gill has previous leadership experience, having captained the Gujarat Titans in the IPL and led India in limited-overs cricket. His meeting with Gambhir suggests that he’s preparing for the new role.
The BCCI is expected to announce India’s squad for the England tour before the IPL final. With the IPL set to resume on May 17, the stage is set for Gill to take on his new responsibilities.