With Rohit Sharma retiring from Test cricket last week, the race to lead India in the upcoming five-match series in England has intensified. While Shubman Gill’s name is doing the rounds, former India off-spinner R. Ashwin has backed Jasprit Bumrah as a strong contender.
Speaking on his show Ash Ki Baat, Ashwin said, “The team that will tour England will be a completely new team, a transformed team where Bumrah will probably be the senior-most player. He is obviously one of the captaincy options; I think he deserves the captaincy, but the selectors will take a decision based on his physical capacity.”
Bumrah first captained India in the rescheduled fifth Test at Edgbaston in 2022, when Rohit missed out due to Covid. Though India lost that match, Bumrah’s leadership was praised for its composure and clarity. He also led India to a commanding 295-run win over Australia in an away fixture last year.
However, given his injury history, the selectors are likely to weigh his workload before assigning him a full-time Test role.
The squad for the England series is expected to be announced later this month. The first Test begins on June 19 at Lord’s.