Opener Shubhman Gill is the front-runner to captain the men’s Test team after incumbent Rohit Sharma announced his retirement on Wednesday. On a day The Indian Express reported that the selectors had decided to remove Rohit Sharma as captain because of his poor form in Test cricket, Sharma took to Instagram to announce that he was stepping away from Test cricket.
“Hello everyone I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years,” Rohit said along with a photo of his Test cap in an Instagram Story.
understands that the senior selection committee headed by former India all rounder Ajit Agarkar is of the opinion that 25-year-old Gill is the ideal candidate to take over as Test captain. However, the selectors will discuss the same with the BCCI before making a formal announcement. If appointed as Test skipper, Gill’s first assignment will be the five-match Test series in England.
This paper had earlier reported how India’s fast bowling figurehead and vice captain is unlikely to be given a leadership role on the Test tour to England starting June-end.
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The star fast bowler had captained India to its only Test match win during the Australia tour at the turn of the year, apart from leading in two other Tests. But since Bumrah is unlikely to feature in all the five Tests in England, as part of his workload management, the selectors had to look at another option.
“We want a player who will be available for all five Test matches and he (Bumrah) should be given the vice-
captain’s role,” sources said.
The selectors also want someone to be groomed as a future leader and with a new Test cycle in place, the selection committee is looking for a long term leader in the Indian side and Gill fits the bill.
India’s Test series against England is scheduled to kick off from June 20 with the fifth and final Test starting July 31.
