Former Indian batter Sanjay Manjrekar reckons the Ajit Agarkar-led selection should not have any second thoughts in appointing Jasprit Bumrah as India’s next Test captain. Bumrah led India in two Test matches against Australia and earlier led against England in English conditions in one Test match.

The ace fast bowler bagged 32 wickets on the tour Down Under at a staggering average of 13.06 and thus impressed one and all despite India’s 3-1 series loss. However, it has been reported by Sky Sports that Bumrah has opted out of the leadership role.

Furthermore, there are doubts over Bumrah’s appointment as the team’s think tank will need to worry about his workload.

“If Bumrah’s availability because of injuries is the issue, didn’t we have Rohit captain India in just 3 off the 5 Tests in Aus recently? Availability can’t be the be all & end all, deservability far more important. Especially in Tests,” Manjrekar posted on X.

“Has Bumrah said he won’t captain India? Or has he ruled himself out of the England series? Then why are we discussing who will captain India?” he wrote in another post on X.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Shubman Gill is the front-runner to be India’s next Test skipper. Gill is currently leading the Gujarat Titans in the ongoing IPL 2025 but leading the national team in the red-ball version is going to be a different ball altogether. Many experts have also highlighted Gill’s poor Test record outside the Asian conditions as he is yet to score a century outside the subcontinent.

It will be interesting to note selectors’ final call as India would need an experienced leader after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test retirement. 

The opening Test match between India and England will be played at Leeds, Headingley, from June 20.