Team India needs to act, and act fast. After the IND vs NZ series, it has become amply clear that Rohit Sharma isn’t the best in the country to lead in Tests. A change in the leadership is the need of the hour, and the process of selection must begin now. Who are the contenders, one may ask? Undoubtedly, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill.
The three are uber-talented and have had a decent run with Team India. Speaking about Bumrah first. He is the current vice-captain, when he is playing, and has led India already in one Test in England in 2022, that the team lost. But that doesn’t take away from the fact, that he is a thinking player. He is in the core group of members across formats, and even IPL for MI.
What works for him is, his excellent bowling record for India in all the three formats, especially the Tests, where he is the best bowler. In 40 Tests, he has picked up 173 wickets, at a strike-rate of 44.64. But perhaps, what doesn’t really go in his favour is, his perennial injury issues. Given his slingy action, he is susceptible to getting back injuries, and has suffered stress fractures in the past. So, in all likelihood, Bumrah as skipper could be ruled out for now.
On the other hand, there is GT skipper Shubman Gill, who is widely looked at, as the successor in ODIs and Tests. Despite his ordinary performances in the longest-formats, he has instilled the belief that he can do the job for India. Leading in IPL also gives him the edge, to perform against the foreign players. In 28 matches, he has scored 1799 runs, at an average of 36. What really goes against him are his numbers in Tests. In fact, before being named the skipper, he first needs to cement his place in the Test side.
Lastly, Rishabh Pant is one of the best contenders that India have. At 27, he has already led India in 5 T20Is, winning two and losing two. He was the skipper for DC until IPL 2024, and is a great batter for India, in Tests. When everyone failed in IND vs NZ Tests. he was the only one who scored fifties in each innings of Mumbai match.
In the past he has shown great tenacity to comeback from situations, where it was just impossible to — his comeback for life-threatening accident. The Gabba Test in 2021 was another example, where he took IND to a win chasing down 329. He scored 89 not out in that match. So, all that go in favour for the keeper. What doesn’t is, is India ready to take a punt on a player, who has recently comeback after such a long layoff. Otherwise, he should be the frontrunner, tbh.
