Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his support behind Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja as potential candidates for India’s Test captaincy while also acknowledging the growing buzz around Shubman Gill.
As India’s Test team navigates a transitional phase after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement, the question of who will lead the side in the future has sparked intense debate among fans and experts alike.
Ravichandran Ashwin has now weighed in, offering a fresh perspective on the leadership conundrum and advocating for a structured, forward-thinking approach to the selection process.
Advertisement
Also read: Rohit and Kohli’s Retirement Has Left a Leadership Void – R Ashwin
India’s Next Test Leader? Ravichandran Ashwin Backs Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja Over Shubman Gill Hype
In a discussion with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan on his YouTube channel, Ashwin shared his thoughts on the leadership debate, urging the Indian cricket board to consider a structured approach to selecting the next Test captain. He named Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Shubman Gill as prime candidates for the Test captaincy.
"First of all, everyone is saying that Gill is the captain. Everyone is going in that direction. But there is a loud option in Jasprit Bumrah, and why do we forget about Ravindra Jadeja," Ashwin said as quoted on his YouTube channel.
Ashwin proposed a mentorship model for Gill, suggesting that the young batter could benefit from learning under a seasoned leader before taking on the role full-time.
"If you are willing to go for a new person as captain, I would say why not make him [Gill] an understudy of an experienced guy for two years before handing him the job on a full-time basis," he added.
Taking inspiration from international practices, Ashwin advocated for a transparent selection process, where candidates are evaluated based on their vision for the team.
"I would say, why not get all three to four candidates and make them do a presentation and ask them each to detail the vision for the team. It happens in countries like Australia. Why won’t we go down that road?" Ashwin suggested.
Addressing concerns about Bumrah’s injury history, Ashwin drew parallels with Australia’s Pat Cummins, who overcame a back stress fracture to lead his country successfully.
"Look at Pat Cummins, he also had a back stress fracture, but he is now captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs. Like that, Bumrah is our national treasure and he should be in the discussion."
He urged the selectors to engage with Bumrah directly, saying,
"He should be asked, will you be able to play five Tests? Can you be a full-time captain? I know he had a stress fracture but I am sure he will think about it. I think the hat with his name should be number one in that ring."
Advertisement
Shubman Gill Front-Runner in India’s Test Captaincy Race
As per the reports, Gill is leading the race to become India’s next Test captain. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to make a formal announcement soon along with the squad for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, starting June 20.
Rishabh Pant is likely to be the vice-captain. Notably, Bumrah has reportedly decided to not pursue Test captaincy to manage his workload.
Also read: Who Replaces Virat Kohli? Michael Atherton Uncertain About India’s Next No. 4 in Tests
