Not Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, Sunil Gavaskar names THIS star player as next CAPTAIN of Team India

By News Update On Jan 9, 2025

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar doesn’t want Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli to lead the Indian Test team in the near future.

Jasprit Bumrah is favourite to take over as next Test captain of India. (Photo: ANI)

The 3-1 Test series loss to Australia in the five-match series has opened the discussion on India’s next Test captain. Skipper Rohit Sharma ‘opted’ out of the last Test at the SCG earlier this month owing to his poor form with the bat.

According to media report, former captain Virat Kohli has expressed his desire to lead the side in Test cricket once again but the clear favourite at this stage appears to be bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar also threw his weight being Bumrah to take over the reins in Test cricket.

Gavaskar has expressed admiration for Bumrah’s leadership qualities and believes the exceptional fast bowler is poised to succeed Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Indian cricket team, following his remarkable performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). Bumrah delivered one of the finest bowling performances by an overseas pacer in Australia, claiming 32 wickets across five Tests. He also captained India during their only victory of the series, leading the team to a commanding win in the opening Test at Perth’s Optus Stadium.

“He could be the next man. I think he will be the next man,” Gavaskar shared on Channel 7. “He leads from the front and carries an air of leadership that doesn’t put undue pressure on others. With Bumrah, you can see that he expects everyone to fulfill their role, but he doesn’t seem to pressurize anybody.”

“He’s got a very good air about him, the air of a leader…
“I think he was absolutely brilliant, and I won’t be surprised if he takes over very soon.”
Sunil Gavaskar on the captaincy of Jasprit Bumrah 🗣 pic.twitter.com/s3TZnoKquR
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 8, 2025

The batting legend also highlighted Bumrah’s positive influence on his teammates, particularly the fast bowlers. “With the pacers, he has been absolutely brilliant, standing at mid-off or mid-on, always ready to provide guidance. His mentorship has been instrumental in helping bowlers like Mohammed Siraj grow. I won’t be surprised if he takes over the captaincy very soon,” former India captain added.

Bumrah’s impact in the series was profound, taking his wickets at an astonishing average of 13.06 and a strike rate of 28.37. Despite his efforts, an untimely injury during Australia’s first innings at the SCG in the final Test kept him from bowling on the crucial third day. India ultimately lost the series 3-1.

Bumrah had been handed the captaincy for the final Test after an out-of-form Rohit Sharma opted out. However, a back spasm limited his participation at a critical juncture. Throughout the series, Bumrah delivered standout performances, including an eight-wicket haul in Perth, six wickets in the first innings at the Gabba, and a near match-winning spell on the fourth afternoon of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. In the series decider at the SCG, he dismissed Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne early in Australia’s first innings but was forced off the field after lunch on the second day.

For his exceptional contributions, Bumrah was named Player of the Series, cementing his place as a leader and one of the finest fast bowlers in the world.