Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has put his weight behind Jasprit Bumrah to be India’s next Test captain for the upcoming tour of England after Rohit Sharma’s retirement. It has been reported by Sky Sports that Bumrah has opted out of the captaincy role due to his fitness issues and workload management.

As per the latest reports, Shubman Gill is the front-runner to take over the Test captaincy baton but many experts have opposed the idea, given the batter’s record while playing outside Asia.

Meanwhile, Bumrah has so far led India in three Test matches, all coming on foreign tours. The ace pacer recently led the team in two Test matches on the Australian tour, winning one and losing one. Bumrah bagged a total of 32 wickets in five matches at a staggering average of 13.06 in the Border-Gavaskar series.

The gun fast bowler has taken 205 wickets in 45 Test matches at a stunning average of 19.4 and there is no doubt that he deserves the captaincy role.

“I think Bumrah is an automatic captaincy choice, unless he doesn’t want the responsibility. He should be the captain with Gill as VC – stepping in whenever Bumrah needs rest. This way Gill could also be groomed without the pressure of being the full time captain,” Jaffer posted on X.

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. 

Bumrah will be seen in action in the remainder of IPL 2025, which will resume on May 17.

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