New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided against assigning a leadership role to Jasprit Bumrah during India’s upcoming five-match Test series in England next month. This decision comes in light of Bumrah’s past injury issues, particularly a back injury that sidelined him for several months and caused him to miss India’s Champions Trophy victory.
With India set to begin the new ICC World Test Championship cycle in England, the BCCI is focused on ensuring that the captain and vice-captain are available for all five Tests. Bumrah, who made his return to competitive cricket during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) after recovering from his injury, is unlikely to feature in every match of the series, prompting the BCCI to consider alternative leadership options.
“We want a player who will be available for all five Test matches. It would be better for consistency if the captain and vice-captain are confirmed and can play in all the games,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express. The board is keen on selecting a younger player for the vice-captaincy role, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant among the top contenders, as they are seen as potential future leaders.
Bumrah had previously led India in two Tests against Australia when Rohit Sharma was absent, with India registering their only win of the series under his captaincy. However, with the team management prioritizing Bumrah’s workload and fitness, they have decided not to assign him leadership duties for the upcoming tour.
In the meantime, Bumrah remains one of the four players placed in the top grade of the BCCI’s annual contract list, alongside Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. The BCCI’s emphasis on grooming younger leadership candidates is a step towards securing a long-term leadership strategy for the team.
