Follow UsFormer India coach Ravi Shastri has put his weight behind Shubman Gill as new India Test captain ahead of Jasprit Bumrah who led India in the first and last Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Rohit Sharma's absence. Shastri feels that since Bumrah has a lot to give with the ball, he can’t put his body on the line in every game to set an example of a ladder and thereby risking his availability.
“He’ll have played IPL cricket, which is four-over cricket. Now will come the test of bowling 10 overs, 15 overs. And the last thing you want is some pressure on his mind being captain as well,” Shastri said on the ICC Review.
“See for me, Jasprit would have been the obvious choice after Australia. But I don’t want Jasprit to be made captain, and then you lose him as a bowler. I think he has to take his body one game at a time. He’s coming back now after a serious injury,” he added.
By making clear his choice for the role, Shastri favoured Shubman Gill. “You groom somebody, and I would say Shubman looked very good. Give him the opportunity. He’s 25, 26 years of age, even give him time,” he said.
Along with Gill, the ace commentator also backed another Indian for the role. “There’s Rishabh as well. I think these two are the obvious ones I’m looking at because of their age, and they have a decade ahead of them. So, let them learn,” he said.
“They’ve got experience as captains, now, captaining their franchise, and that makes a difference. The little I’ve seen of Shubman looks very interesting. Composed, calm, he has all the qualities,” he added.
The post is vacant since Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket earlier in May 2025. The first assignment for next India captain will the team's England tour, starting in June.