New Delhi, May 17, 2025: As India navigates a leadership transition in Test cricket following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, former head coach Ravi Shastri has voiced his opinion on the ideal successor. Speaking on The ICC Review, Shastri ruled out pace ace Jasprit Bumrah for the top role and instead backed Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as future leaders of India’s red-ball squad.
‘Don’t burden Bumrah with captaincy’: Shastri’s logic
While acknowledging Jasprit Bumrah’s leadership qualities, Shastri warned against risking the fitness of India’s premier fast bowler. “I don’t want Jasprit to be made captain and then you lose him as a bowler,” he said, citing Bumrah’s recurring back issues and recent injury layoffs. Bumrah missed nearly three months earlier this year after developing back spasms during the Sydney Test, where he was captaining India.
“He has to take his body one game at a time,” Shastri added. “He’ll have played IPL cricket, which is four overs. But now comes the test of bowling 10–15 overs per spell. Captaincy pressure is an unnecessary distraction.”
Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant: The future of Indian Test cricket?
Shastri pitched for younger options who could grow into the role over time. “Shubman Gill has looked very good. He’s only 25–26 years old. Give him time,” Shastri advised. Gill, who captains Gujarat Titans in the IPL, has been consistent with the bat and is seen as a technically sound and composed option for the long term.
He also endorsed Rishabh Pant, who made a strong return to cricket in IPL 2025 with Lucknow Super Giants. “There’s Rishabh as well. Both of them have captained their franchises, and that makes a difference.”
India A Squad Features Domestic Performers
Meanwhile, the BCCI announced the India A squad for two first-class matches against the England Lions. The squad, led by Abhimanyu Easwaran, includes experienced names like Karun Nair and Shardul Thakur, while Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are scheduled to join for the second match after completing IPL duties.
Read more: India’s full Test squad for the England series
India A squad: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shardul Thakur, Ishan Kishan, Manav Suthar, Tanush Kotian, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Khaleel Ahmed, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sarfaraz Khan, Tushar Deshpande, Harsh Dubey.
Conclusion
With Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement ending an era, India’s red-ball team is in search of a visionary leader. Ravi Shastri’s endorsement of Gill and Pant highlights the need to invest in youth for a long-term legacy—while also protecting a key asset like Bumrah from added responsibilities.
Whether the BCCI will heed Shastri’s advice remains to be seen, but the next captaincy announcement could shape the direction of Indian Test cricket for the next decade.
