Ravi Shastri’s Bold Take: Why Jasprit Bumrah Shouldn’t Be India’s Test Captain
NEW DELHI: As the search intensifies for India’s next Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format, former India cricketer and head coach Ravi Shastri has dropped a bombshell by cautioning against appointing pace maestro Jasprit Bumrah to the coveted role. Instead, Shastri has thrown his weight behind rising stars Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, advocating for a long-term vision in Indian cricket leadership.
In a candid discussion on The ICC Review with host Sanjana Ganesan, Shastri emphasized the importance of safeguarding Bumrah’s fitness over burdening him with captaincy pressures. ‘Jasprit would have been the obvious choice after the Australia tour,’ Shastri admitted. ‘But I don’t want Jasprit to be made captain and then risk losing him as a bowler. His body needs to be managed game by game.’ Bumrah, who recently returned from a serious back injury sustained during the final Border-Gavaskar Trophy match in Sydney, was sidelined for nearly three months from January to April 2025, missing key events like India’s victorious ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
Shastri’s concerns are rooted in Bumrah’s workload as India’s premier fast bowler. ‘He’s coming off a major injury, and while IPL is just four-over spells, Test cricket demands bowling 10 to 15 overs a day. The last thing we need is added mental pressure of captaincy affecting his recovery or performance,’ Shastri explained. Bumrah, widely regarded as one of the world’s best bowlers with over 150 Test wickets at an average of under 22, remains India’s trump card, and Shastri believes his focus should solely be on leading the bowling attack.
Turning his attention to the future, Shastri spotlighted Shubman Gill, aged 25, and Rishabh Pant, aged 27, as the ideal candidates to take over the reins. ‘You need to groom someone with a decade ahead of them. Shubman has looked very promising, composed, and calm. Give him the opportunity. Rishabh is another strong contender with his dynamic approach,’ Shastri noted. Both players bring valuable leadership experience, having captained their IPL franchises—Gill with Gujarat Titans and Pant with Delhi Capitals—and have shown tactical acumen on the field.
Shastri was particularly effusive about Gill, who currently holds the top spot in ICC ODI Player Rankings for batters. Addressing concerns about Gill’s overseas performance, often a sticking point for critics, Shastri dismissed the narrative with characteristic flair. ‘People keep saying he hasn’t scored runs overseas. I say, let him play a few tours, give him a run. Look at your own records before criticizing. He’s a class player, and I’m confident he’ll pile up runs soon,’ Shastri asserted. Gill’s recent stint as captain during India’s 4-1 T20I series win in Zimbabwe further bolsters his case, where he scored 170 runs at a strike rate of 125.92, including a match-defining 66 in the third T20I.
Pant, on the other hand, offers a different dimension with his aggressive style and resilience, having made a remarkable comeback after a life-threatening car accident in 2022. His match-winning knocks in Test cricket, including memorable centuries in Australia and England, combined with his wicketkeeping skills, make him a compelling choice. ‘Both Gill and Pant have age on their side and can serve Indian cricket for the next 8-10 years,’ Shastri added.
With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli stepping away from Test cricket—Rohit confirming his focus on ODIs post his 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies—the timing couldn’t be more critical for India to build a new era. Shastri’s vision is clear: protect Bumrah’s genius on the field, while entrusting the future to young leaders who can grow with the team. As debates rage on, the question remains—will it be Gill’s calmness or Pant’s flair that steers India’s Test journey forward?