Jasprit Bumrah Set to Succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s Test Captain
In a huge change for Indian cricket, Jasprit Bumrah will likely be the new Test captain. It will start with the fifth and final Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. With head coach Gautam Gambhir not confirming Rohit Sharma’s spot in the XI, it seems the end is near for the 38-year-old veteran.
This transition mirrors a historic moment in 2014. MS Dhoni stepped down as Test captain mid-series during the Australian tour. This paved the way for Virat Kohli to take over as skipper. Now, a similar passing of the torch seems to be unfolding between Rohit and Bumrah.
Rohit Sharma’s Struggles and Likely Exit
Rohit Sharma’s poor form in the series may get him dropped from the XI. Promoting himself to open the batting and dropping Shubman Gill backfired. Rohit scored only 31 runs in five innings.
During a practice session, Rohit’s limited involvement raised further speculation. He missed the slip cordon drills and batted little. Then, he left with Bumrah and chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Reports suggest the team will say Rohit chose to resign for the team’s betterment.
Earlier, Rohit was seen having an extended conversation with Gambhir and Bumrah, fueling discussions about a potential leadership handover.
Jasprit Bumrah: The Next Test Captain
Jasprit Bumrah led India in the series opener in Rohit’s absence. He is now the favorite to permanently replace Rohit as captain. The pace spearhead has impressed with his calmness and tactics in limited chances to captain. He is the ideal candidate to lead the team in a new era.
Bumrah’s leadership style stabilizes the dressing room. His teammates respect him above all. His appointment would mark the beginning of a fast-bowler-led Test team, a rarity in Indian cricket history.
A Kohli-Dhoni-Like Transition
The current situation bears a striking resemblance to the events of 2014. During the Australia tour, MS Dhoni retired from Test cricket after the third Test. He handed the captaincy to Virat Kohli. Kohli’s aggressive captaincy style then became synonymous with India’s Test success in the years that followed.
Rohit Sharma’s likely departure paves the way for Jasprit Bumrah. He can now lead a young, dynamic Test team. If this transition goes as expected, it could mark a new, exciting chapter for Indian Test cricket.
As India preps for the must-win fifth Test against Australia in Sydney, all eyes will be on the team’s leadership. Jasprit Bumrah’s appointment as Test captain isn’t official. But, signs point strongly to it.
If Bumrah indeed takes over, his captaincy could usher in a fresh approach, much like Kohli did a decade ago. The historic parallels with the Dhoni-Kohli transition make this moment even more poignant, as Indian cricket braces for a new Test era.