Sanjay Manjrekar reveals his choice for India’s Test captain ahead of England series

Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar has shared his surprise that other players, barring Jasprit Bumrah, are being considered for Test captaincy after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. It has been reported that Bumrah has opted out of the leadership role due to his fitness issues.

Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are the front-runners to be India’s next Test captain ahead of the five-match Test series against England.

Meanwhile, Bumrah was brilliant on the tour of Australia, taking 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 in five Test matches and also led India in two Test matches. Gill, on the other hand, doesn’t have a promising record while playing outside Asia.

The right-hander could only manage 93 runs in five innings at an average of 18.60 against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series. Furthermore, Gill doesn’t have a promising record in English conditions as he has scored 88 runs in three Test matches at an average of 14.67.

“I am shocked that we are looking at any other option other than Bumrah as Test captain! Worried about his injuries? Then choose your vice captain carefully,” Manjrekar wrote on X on Tuesday, May 13.

On the other hand, former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra said Shubman Gill is all set to be appointed as India’s next Test skipper.

“Forget frontrunner, it seems like Shubman Gill’s appointment has happened. You will get the confirmation on May 23,” Chopra had said on his YouTube channel.

Gill is currently leading Gujarat Titans in IPL 2025, which will resume on May 17. GT is looking all set to qualify for the playoffs after eight wins in 11 matches. However, there is no denying the fact that leading India in Test matches will be a different story altogether and Gill would have his work cut out.