Rohit Sharma retirement call from Test cricket has left everyone wondering about who would replace him for the coveted role, especially with a little over a month time to the all-important series against England. India and England will play a five-match Test series.
Shubman Gill to become India's new Test captain?
Many thought Jasprit Bumrah will become India's new Test captain. But Hindustan Times has reported that Shubman Gill is likely to be appointed as India's new Test captain and will also lead the team in the England tour.
Rohit Sharma announced his retirement via Instagram story, where he stated:
"Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years".
With India's next Test commitment being the five-match series against England, starting on June 20, Rohit Sharma's retirement has created a void in the Test team's leadership. Considering his past history with injuries, Jasprit Bumrah, who previously captained the team in two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Rohit's absence, is considered an unlikely candidate to take on the full-time captaincy.
As per a report in Hindustan Times, the selection committee is currently considering the 25-year-old Shubman Gill as the potential next captain of the Test team. However, the final decision on who will lead the side will be made after the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee holds discussions with the top officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and arrives at their ultimate choice.
The upcoming Test series against England marks the beginning of a fresh World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Consequently, it would be a logical move for the selection committee to appoint a young captain who can lead the team through this new phase and beyond.
However, it is crucial to note that Shubman Gill has yet to establish a consistent track record of success in overseas Test tours. His most significant performances in the longest format have primarily been on the subcontinent. His most notable overseas tour to date remains his debut series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia during the 2020-21 season.
Shubman Gill has featured in 32 Test matches so far, accumulating 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05. His Test record includes seven half-centuries and five centuries. Notably, the right-handed batsman had a less successful Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, managing only 93 runs across five innings, with his highest score being 31 in the first innings of the Adelaide Test.
Rohit Sharma had previously stepped down from the Sydney Test against Australia, citing a dip in his Test match form. Under the captaincy of the 38-year-old, the Indian Test team experienced consecutive series defeats against New Zealand at home and Australia away.
Despite opting out of the Sydney Test, Rohit Sharma had emphatically stated his intention to continue playing Test cricket. However, uncertainties lingered regarding his participation in the upcoming Test series against England. Now, just a month before the commencement of the England tour, Rohit Sharma has officially announced the end of his Test career. His journey in Test cricket flourished significantly after he was promoted to the opening batsman role under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri.
In his Test career for India, Rohit Sharma played a total of 67 matches, scoring 4301 runs at an average of 40.57.