Indian middle order batter Shubman Gill is the favourite to lead the men’s Test team following incumbent Rohit Sharma’s retirement on Wednesday. On a day when The Indian Express had written that the selectors had made up their minds to drop Rohit Sharma as captain due to his Test cricket form, Sharma posted an announcement on Instagram that he was hanging up his boots in Test cricket.
Rohit Sharma Announces Retirement via Instagram
“Hello everyone I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years,” Rohit said along with a photo of his Test cap in an Instagram Story.
Selectors See Shubman Gill as the Ideal Successor
The senior selection panel led by ex-India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar feels that 25-year-old Shubman Gill is the best person to succeed as Test captain. But the selectors will talk to the BCCI about the same before making an official announcement. If made Test skipper, Gill’s first task will be the five-match Test series in England.
Jasprit Bumrah Unlikely to Lead Due to Workload Concerns
This article had previously written about how India’s pace spearhead and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is not likely to be assigned a leadership position on the Test tour of England beginning June-end.
The fast bowling star had led India to its sole Test match victory in the Australia tour at the beginning of the year, besides leading in two other Tests. But as Bumrah is not expected to play all the five Tests in England, as part of his workload management, the selectors had to turn to another choice.
“We want a player who will be available for all five Test matches and he (Bumrah) should be given the vice-captain’s role,” sources said.
Selectors Eye Long-term Leadership Solution through Shubman Gill
The selectors also want someone to be groomed as a future leader and with a new Test cycle in place, the selection committee is looking for a long term leader in the Indian side and Shubman Gill fits the bill.
India’s Test series against England is scheduled to kick off from June 20 with the fifth and final Test starting July 31.
