Jasprit Bumrah or Shubman Gill? Harsha Bhogle weighs in on picking India’s next Test captain

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The search for India‘s next Test captain has become the most pressing question in Indian cricket following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format. With a new era on the horizon and a challenging tour of England approaching, the debate has narrowed to two standout names: Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill. Both bring unique strengths and concerns, but who should take the mantle? Renowned cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle recently shared his nuanced perspective on this crucial decision in a Cricbuzz video.

Bhogle is unequivocal in his admiration for Bumrah as a leader. “To my mind, it comes down to two candidates: Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah. All things considered—fitness, good everything possible—one candidate, and that is Jasprit Bumrah,” Bhogle stated, highlighting Bumrah’s tactical acumen and the immense respect he commands in the dressing room.

“Tactically very astute, absolutely on top of his game, in my view the best cricketer in the world at the moment, whether batter, bowler, fielder—commands a lot of respect from everybody. So in my mind, no brainer,” he further added.

However, Bhogle’s endorsement comes with a significant caveat: Bumrah’s injury history. “But a second back issue for Bumrah… you don’t know when it’s going to flare up, you don’t know how he’s going to space himself,” Bhogle explained, referencing the fast bowler’s recurring back problems that have already sidelined him at crucial junctures.

This uncertainty raises a logistical dilemma for the team. Bhogle cautions against a scenario where captaincy alternates between Bumrah and Gill from Test to Test, warning it could unsettle the squad’s rhythm and leadership structure.

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Turning to Gill, Bhogle acknowledges the young batter’s promise and leadership potential. “He’s a good player, still a little bit unproven in Test match cricket but he’s on the upswing, he’s got a career ahead of him,” Bhogle observed. He noted Gill’s tactical growth in the IPL and his willingness to adapt his batting position for the team’s needs, moving down to number four to anchor the innings.

Yet, Bhogle voices a note of caution regarding Gill’s readiness for the Test captaincy.

“He’s not really proven himself as a Test match cricketer, though the numbers would suggest he’s not too far from where Virat Kohli was. But I worry about how much of a burden captaincy will impose on him given that he’s not already a regular member of that Test match eleven—it wasn’t that long ago that he was dropped,” Bhogle said.

For Gill, the challenge is twofold: solidifying his place in the Test side and ensuring that the responsibility of captaincy does not weigh down his batting. “If he can separate his roles as batter and a role as captain, then maybe he’s got a future,” Bhogle concluded, leaving the door open for Gill to grow into the role with time and experience.

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