Why was Jasprit Bumrah not named India’s Test captain? Ajit Agarkar finally breaks silence

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Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma from Test cricket earlier this month, a significant leadership transition has taken place in Indian cricket. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, appointed Shubman Gill as the 37th Test captain of India for the upcoming five-match series in England.

While the decision to promote the 25-year-old Gill into such a high-pressure leadership role drew attention, what drew even more curiosity was the omission of Jasprit Bumrah from the captaincy discussion, especially since Bumrah had already captained India in three Test matches.

Addressing this at a press conference, Agarkar provided clarity by explaining that Bumrah’s exclusion from the leadership role was primarily due to workload management and fitness-related concerns. According to Agarkar, the medical team had informed the selectors that Bumrah might not be available for all five Test matches during the England tour.

Agarkar elaborated that managing a team of 15–16 players over a long Test series is mentally and physically draining, especially when added to the intense workload a fast bowler like Bumrah already carries. He emphasized that while Bumrah had led India in Australia and was the vice-captain in the past, the added burden of leadership could potentially compromise his physical output and availability.

“I mean, not really booms (Bumrah), because he led in Australia. He was the vice captain in Australia, but once he’s not going to be available for all the test matches, I think he’s more important to us as a player. We want him fit. There’s always that extra burden when you’re leading, managing 15-16, other people, there’s a lot that it takes out of you. We’d rather have him bowling as well as he does, than putting that extra burden on him. He’s aware of it and he’d rather look after himself and be bowling fit,” Agarkar said.

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Bumrah has had a history of injury concerns, especially with his back, which kept him out of several key series, including India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign earlier this year. Although he has made a return to competitive cricket through the Indian Premier League 2025 season, where he performed well for the Mumbai Indians, the BCCI medical staff remain cautious about his long-term workload.

Agarkar mentioned during the press conference that while it is a relief to see Bumrah back playing, the nature of Test cricket, where bowlers may have to bowl 20–30 overs across multiple innings—requires careful management, further explaining that even if Bumrah plays three or four Tests, he would still be a game-changer. However, making him captain would complicate things unnecessarily and potentially risk his physical condition. The selectors are therefore prioritizing continuity and longevity, ensuring that Bumrah can remain a vital asset to Indian cricket across formats, especially with the World Test Championship cycle and future overseas tours in mind.

“I don’t think he is available for five Tests, as far as the physios and the doctors have told us. Whether it’s four, three, we will see how the series goes and how his body takes the workload. He is very important to us. Even if he is fit for three or four Test matches, he is going to win us Test matches. We are glad he is fit and the setback he had in Australia wasn’t too bad. He has started playing again, I know it’s T20 cricket at the moment, but we have seen what he is doing in the IPL. I am very happy he is part of the squad,” Agarkar concluded.

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