The captaincy controversy has grown stronger with Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, weeks ahead of the Indian team’s travel to England. Seasoned pacer Ishant Sharma is supporting Jasprit Bumrah to lead the Indian team during the tour of England and opined that Shubman Gill could be given the responsibility only if the unparalleled fast bowler is not fit enough to complete the entire five-match Test series.
The captaincy issue has gained momentum after Rohit Sharma’s Test career retirement, weeks ahead of the Indian team’s travel to England for the June 20-August 4 series. “If Bumrah is fit, I would go with Bumrah.
That’s my first preference. He is the only one who has so much experience. But if he will not play all five Tests matchesIndia and Australia’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy was expanded to five tests., then obviously Shubman,” Ishant replied on Saturday to a PTI question in Star Sports Press Room. Bumrah, aged 31, has also led India in the rearranged fifth Test against England in 2022 and in the first and fifth Tests of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. There are still doubts regarding his fitness.
The pacer had also undergone back surgery two years ago after suffering an injury caused by stress and missed a good part of international cricket, including India’s victorious Champions Trophy campaign after he walked off the second day of the Sydney Test in January. He came back for the IPL. Gill, 25, has impressed as Gujarat Titans captain in the IPL, taking them to the top of the table this season.
Last Monday, Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket, closing the curtains on an illustrious career where he made 9,230 runs at 46.85 with an average of 123 matches, including 30 centuries. Responding to the news, Ishant expressed surprise at the development, particularly given Kohli’s phenomenal fitness and discipline.
