Cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar backed speedster Jasprit Bumrah to take over as India's Test captaincy from Rohit Sharma after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. India captain Rohit's decision to opt out from the fifth Test match against Australia sparked a lot of speculation about his future in whites. While Rohit argued that this wasn't a permanent decision, many Indian fans have wondered if India might look elsewhere for opening batting and captaincy alike following a forgettable series on a personal level for Rohit.
Jasprit Bumrah who was appointed as Rohit's deputy in the five Test match series against Australia led the side in two Test matches. Bumrah captained India in the first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth where Men in Blue defeated Australia to take a 1-0 lead in the series. After that, Bumrah captained India in the Sydney Test as Rohit opted out from the playing XI. Gavaskar who is currently in Australia backed Bumrah to take over Test captaincy permanently.
"He could be the next man, I think he will be the next man because he leads from the front. He's got a very good air about him, the air of a leader but not somebody who's going to put pressure on you. Sometimes you have captains who put a lot of pressure on you. With Bumrah you can see that he expects the others to do what their job is, why they're in the national team but he doesn't seem to pressure anybody" said Sunil Gavaskar during BBL commentary.
"He's been absolutely brilliant standing at mid-off, mid-on, and every time, you know, just being at hand to tell them. I think he was absolutely brilliant, and I wouldn't be surprised if he takes over very soon" added Gavaskar.
After losing 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the Men in Blue are out of the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India's next red-ball assignment will be against England which will be a five-Test match series scheduled to start from June 20.