Bumrah Could Lead India in Upcoming Test Series Against England
Former Indian cricket coach Anil Kumble has expressed his support for Jasprit Bumrah to take over as captain of the Indian Test team in the upcoming five-match series against England. This comes after Rohit Sharma unexpectedly announced his retirement from Test cricket via an Instagram post.
With a fresh start needed, India will look for a new Test captain as the series is set to begin on June 20. Possible candidates for the role include Bumrah, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant.
Kumble highlighted Bumrah’s past leadership experience, noting that he previously captained India to their only win in the last series against Australia in Perth. Kumble believes Bumrah should be given a chance to lead in England, suggesting Shubman Gill could serve as his deputy.
"Perhaps just for this series, we should go with Bumrah and assess his fitness," Kumble told ESPNcricinfo. He acknowledged the challenges faced by fast bowlers in maintaining their health, especially since Bumrah has had injury concerns recently and is returning to play after a break.
Kumble also pointed out that it might not be feasible for Bumrah to play all five Tests, which would give the vice-captain the opportunity to step in if needed.
At 31, Bumrah is currently at the top of his game, recognized as one of the most formidable bowlers worldwide. However, his history of back injuries raises questions about his fitness for a lengthy series in England.
This scenario could pave the way for 25-year-old Shubman Gill, who has recently been named vice-captain for India’s white-ball teams and is regarded as a future leader. His leadership abilities were showcased when he captained the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2025 season, leading them to the top position.
Parthiv Patel, an assistant coach with Gujarat, praised Gill’s leadership skills, stating, "On the field, he’s very proactive and has great game sense."
Other potential candidates include KL Rahul, who has previously captained the team and is in good form, bringing valuable experience at 33. Rishabh Pant is also a significant figure in the Test lineup, although his leadership prospects might be influenced by his relationship with the new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, following his recovery from injury.
