New Delhi: As India gears up for a five-match Test series in England starting June 20, a senior player’s reported bid to return to the Test captaincy has been turned down by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The team management is said to have rejected the proposal in favor of long-term continuity and future planning.
The upcoming series marks the beginning of a new ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. With India’s previous campaign ending in disappointment — including series losses at home and in Australia — the selection committee faces significant pressure to revamp the Test setup.
While current skipper Rohit Sharma is expected to retain the leadership, questions remain about his long-term role due to his age and declining returns in red-ball cricket. Vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah’s future in the leadership group is also uncertain due to recurring injuries and workload concerns.
According to reports, Shubman Gill — currently vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is — is being considered a prime candidate to be groomed as Rohit’s long-term successor in Tests. Rishabh Pant is also in contention, especially after his return from injury.
The India-Australia series earlier this year added further complexity to the leadership issue. Rohit Sharma missed the opening Test in Perth due to personal reasons, with Bumrah stepping in and leading the team to victory. Rohit returned for the next three matches but opted out of the final Test in Sydney due to poor form, leading to Bumrah once again taking charge — a stint that was cut short by a back injury.
Sources quoted by Times of India revealed that a senior player expressed interest in reclaiming the Test captaincy ahead of the high-profile England tour, but the proposal was rejected. The team management emphasized the importance of planning for the future and avoiding short-term or stop-gap arrangements.
“A new WTC cycle is beginning, and the focus has to be on continuity and long-term prospects. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would prefer working with a consistent core group for the future. Given the importance of the England series, the time for temporary fixes is over,” said a source.
India’s first Test against England is scheduled to begin on June 20 in Leeds, with squad selection expected in the coming days.
