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As per a report, the BCCI has started the process to appoint a long-term India captain with Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal among its top options.
Rohit Sharma’s form in Test cricket has been a concern. (AFP Photo)
The Indian team management has set into motion the transition phase and the next step in it involves identifying a long-term captaincy successor to Rohit Sharma who will turn 38 this April. According to a report, Rohit held discussions with the selection committee regarding his future plans post the 2025 Champions Trophy where he will lead India.
As per The Times of India, the selectors want to kickstart the transition process in both the Test and the ODIs with 2027 World Cup in mind.
While the team management has made some plans, it wants everyone including current ODI and Test captain Rohit on the “same page” to ensure a smooth transfer of power.
“He (Rohit) has been told that he needs to decide how he wants to plan his future after the Champions Trophy,” TOI quoted a BCCI source as saying.
Rohit’s form in Test cricket has been a concern.
The selectors, on the other hand, are willing to be more patient with Virat Kohli as far as his performance in Test is concerned and have no issues over the former captain’s ODI form.
Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal have emerged as the likely candidates for the captaincy roles in Tests and ODIs. Gill is already the ODI vice-captain and could be elevated to the full-time captaincy role.
While Jasprit Bumrah has led the Test team in Rohit’s absence in recent times but his fitness concerns mean he isn’t looked at as a “stable option”.
After the Champions Trophy, the Indian team will next tour England for a five-match Test series in June which will the first series of their next World Championship cycle.
“Bumrah’s chances of a long Test series or completing a full season will always be in doubt. The selectors may want a more stable option,” the daily quoted a source as saying.
