Legendary Sunil Gavaskar has revealed that selfless cricketer and team man Jasprit Bumrah played a key role in giving Test captaincy to Shubman Gill. Gavaskar noted Bumrah informed the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel that he won’t be able to play all five Test matches on the English tour, making the selectors decision easy when they had to choose a new Test captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement.

It was earlier reported by Sky Sports that Bumrah had opted out of the leadership role before the selectors made an official announcement. 

Bumrah has led India in two Test matches on the Australian tour and had also led against England while playing away.

“The fact that the total team-man and selfless cricketer named Jasprit Bumrah informed the selectors that since he may not be able to play all Tests because of his back issue, the selectors could zero in on Gill as the new India captain, made the selection even easier,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid Day. 

The Little Master said Bumrah will lead the bowling attack on the upcoming England tour.

“Make no mistake, Bumrah will be at hand for Gill to lean on and he will also undoubtedly lead the bowling group as they try and plot the English batters’ dismissals. The Indian team looks well balanced,” Gavaskar said.

The former Indian opener said the visitors would need net bowlers on the tour as the fast bowlers would require rest during a hectic five Test-match tour.

“So, they have taken six new-ball users plus Nitish Reddy, who can bowl lively medium pace. Yes, the tour is a cramped one with five Tests in six weeks, and so there will be a need for net bowlers as the Test bowlers would need some rest after the efforts in the consecutive Tests,” Gavaskar said.

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