The race to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain has sparked a flurry of opinions among cricketing circles since the veteran batter announced his retirement from the longest format on May 7. While speculation continues over the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) possibly favouring Shubman Gill for the role, former India opener Wasim Jaffer has made a strong case for Jasprit Bumrah to take the helm.
Bumrah served as Rohit’s deputy during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and also led the team in Rohit’s absence on a couple of occasions. Given his experience and leadership in pressure situations, Jaffer believes Bumrah is best suited to take over as India’s Test captain.
In a tweet shared on Friday morning, Wasim Jaffer voiced his stance clearly: “I think Bumrah is an automatic captaincy choice, unless he doesn’t want the responsibility. He should be the captain with Gill as VC, stepping in whenever Bumrah needs rest. This way Gill could also be groomed without the pressure of being the full-time captain. #ENGvIND.”
The comment comes at a time when the cricketing fraternity is divided on whether Gill, who has captained India in five T20Is—including his leadership debut in Zimbabwe in July last year—should be handed the reins in Tests. Jaffer’s suggestion balances both experience and future planning, advocating for Gill’s development under the guidance of Bumrah without rushing him into a high-pressure leadership position.
Bumrah, known for his calm demeanor and sharp cricketing brain, first captained India in a Test match on July 1, 2022, against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham. He has since led India in three Tests and two T20Is, gaining valuable leadership experience across formats. As the BCCI deliberates the next chapter in Indian Test cricket, Jaffer’s endorsement adds weight to Bumrah’s growing reputation as a natural leader.
