21 May 2025: It cannot be said with certainty what India’s current selection committee of Ajit Agarkar (chief selector), Subroto Banerjee, Shiv Sundar Das, Sridharan Sharath and, Ajay Ratra are thinking about India’s next Test captain but if multiple reports are to be believed then Shubman Gill is on the top of their minds. That is exactly the opposite of the thought process of the MSK Prasad-led former selection committee.
The majority of Prasad’s selection committee, which saw the glory days of India’s test unit abroad, backed Jasprit Bumrah to take over the reins of India’s Test side from Rohit Sharma, who retired from red-ball cricket earlier this month. Apart from former chief selector Prasad, the other members of the selection committee – Jatin Paranjpe, Devang Gandhi, and Gagan Khoda – did not even consider Shubman Gill as the vice-captain of India’s Test side.
Prasad, Paranjpe, and Gandhi picked Bumrah as the Test captain despite huge concerns over his fitness. According to Khoda, the captaincy should go to KL Rahul, who has led India on foreign tours in the past.
“My captain would be Jasprit Bumrah as he has already proven himself as a leader. As far my vice-captain is concerned, I would like Shubman Gill to gain some experience as Bumrah’s deputy. In case you have a problem with Bumrah’s fitness then my choice is KL Rahul,” Prasad told PTI.
Former India opener Devang Gandhi said Rishabh Pant should be the vice-captain purely because of his record as Test batter.
“For captaincy, it would be unfair if you don’t consider Bumrah for leadership. As far as Bumrah deputy goes, this is the time to show faith in Rishabh Pant as he has the best Test average in the current set-up. I would carry six specialist pacers in UK knowing that I have enough back-up for a five-match series,” he said.
Summary:
MSK Prasad’s selection team favors KL Rahul for India’s Test captaincy, while Shubman Gill is not considered for vice-captaincy despite his potential.