Has R Ashwin Just Revealed India’s Next Test Captain? Bumrah or Gill in Line After Shock Retirements!
R Ashwin believes Jasprit Bumrah deserves to captain India after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s sudden Test retirements. While Bumrah led in Perth and Sydney, Shubman Gill is also in contention. Ashwin highlighted the leadership void and praised Kohli’s Adelaide tons and Rohit’s peak between 2018–2023 as Test batting gems.
After the sudden retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket, R Ashwin has voiced concerns over the leadership vacuum in the Indian team. Speaking on his YouTube show “Ash Ki Baat”, Ashwin called this a pivotal moment for Indian cricket and the true beginning of the Gautam Gambhir era as head coach. He believes Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler, deserves the captaincy, citing his seniority and previous leadership stints — including victories in the Perth and Sydney Tests. However, Bumrah’s recurring injuries, particularly his recent back issue during the Sydney Test, make his workload management a major concern.
Shubman Gill has also emerged as a strong contender for the role, despite Bumrah being the vice-captain until earlier this year. Ashwin expressed surprise at the timing of the retirements, especially Rohit’s, whom he expected to lead the team during the upcoming England series. He praised Rohit’s impactful performances, especially during India’s 2021 England tour and the 2020-21 Australia series.
Regarding Kohli, Ashwin hailed him as the “box office” of Test cricket, highlighting iconic innings like his twin centuries in Adelaide (2014), 153 in Johannesburg, and the 74 during India’s infamous 36 all-out pink-ball Test as standout moments in modern Indian cricket.
Comments