Former World Cup winner Kris Srikanth has issued a warning to the BCCI regarding the potential appointment of Shubman Gill as the next Test captain. Instead, he advocates for Jasprit Bumrah as the more suitable candidate for the role.
As the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for 2025-2027 begins, the BCCI and selectors face a significant challenge with the upcoming tour of England, especially after veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from Test cricket. With these prominent players stepping away, the Indian selectors have big shoes to fill. Currently, Shubman Gill is expected to be announced as the next full-time captain of the Indian Test team, with the announcement scheduled for May 23 or May 24.
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Srikkanth Questions Gill’s Readiness for Captaincy
Kris Srikanth shared his views on the potential appointment of Shubman Gill as captain, expressing that it would be a considerable risk. He pointed out that Gill is not yet a regular member of the playing XI for the Indian Test team, questioning the wisdom of elevating him to captaincy.
“If Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul are not chosen as the next captain, it should be Jasprit Bumrah,” said Srikanth. He suggested that since Bumrah is an established player, he would be a more reliable choice, and if he misses a match, KL Rahul could take over the captaincy for that game.
Also read: Jasprit Bumrah Reportedly Rules Himself Out of Contention for Next India Captain
Srikanth emphasized that Jasprit Bumrah should be the new captain, with either KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant serving as his deputy. He believes this combination would adequately fill the void left by the retiring veterans.
"As of now, I think Bumrah should be the captain. If I were the chairman of selectors, I would make Bumrah the captain. Then, I would say, 'Play in whichever matches you want to,' while appointing KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, as they are certainties in the playing XI," he added.
He also criticized the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for promoting Shubman Gill for the captaincy without due consideration. According to Srikanth, it is vital for Gill to first establish himself by consistently scoring runs in challenging conditions.
“You can’t appoint someone as captain just for the sake of it. I don’t know what the selectors are thinking, but this is my view,” he commented.
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Additionally, Srikanth pointed out that Shubman Gill has yet to demonstrate significant performance in overseas conditions, particularly in England, Australia, and South Africa, where he has yet to make a substantial impact.
"A lot is being said about Shubman Gill, but he has yet to score big runs in those countries. You're putting all this pressure on him. Let Shubman establish himself in Test cricket first. He is a king in home conditions," he concluded.
