14 May 2025: Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to become India’s next Test captain, and he most likely will start his journey in the upcoming five-match series against England, beginning June 20. Rohit Sharma decided to hang up his boots in the longest format last week, and ever since then, there has been intense speculation regarding who might lead India. Former England spinner Moeen Ali reckons Shubman Gill might be the right choice, but he also pointed out the youngster’s ‘inexperience’ of leading in Test matches.
Moeen Ali also stated that ideally, BCCI would have wanted Jasprit Bumrah to lead India against England, but looking at the pacer’s workload, the management might just refrain from making him the long-term captain.
Bumrah had led the side in Rohit Sharma’s absence in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and he even captained the side to a victory in the Perth Test. However, he went down due to a back spasm in Sydney and ever since then, reports started circulating regarding how the pacer might not be the skipper in Tests.
“I think it will be Shubman Gill. Ideally, the BCCI would want Jasprit Bumrah to captain because he is a very good captain, a good leader who has done it before. But because of his injury record, he might not be able to last the whole series,” Moeen Ali told Sky Sports.
“I think they’ll give the captaincy to somebody who’s done decently so far in Test cricket. Gill leads Gujarat Titans in IPL, so they’ve still got a very, very good captain, inexperienced, yes, but a good captain and good brain, but it’ll be a challenge in the English conditions,” he added.
This will be Gill’s second tour to England. Despite being tipped as the frontrunner to be India’s future captain, Gill does not boast big numbers in whites. After playing 32 Tests, he averages just 35 in Test cricket, which comes down to 29 in away Tests. Gill’s only Test century away from home came in Bangladesh.
Summary:
England highlights Gill’s inexperience as BCCI eyes him for Test captaincy; Bumrah preferred but unavailable due to workload.