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India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has reportedly opted out of contention for the Test captaincy.
Bumrah, who was considered a frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma in the longest format, has communicated to the board that he is not in a position to commit to playing all five Tests in a series, primarily due to workload management concerns.
According to media reports, selectors are now looking for someone who can consistently feature across an entire Test series, a critical factor with the five-match series against England on the horizon and the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle about to begin.
“Bumrah was seen as the most likely candidate to take over from Rohit, but he has made it clear that managing his fitness and longevity as a fast bowler remains the priority,” a source close to the development revealed.
“Given the intensity of the five-Test series, especially in a short window, his decision is understandable.”
With Jasprit Bumrah stepping aside, the BCCI’s focus has now shifted to younger names like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, both seen as long-term prospects who could lead India into the next generation of Test cricket.
Veteran batter KL Rahul, despite his experience and recent performances in Australia, is reportedly not in the running. At 33, selectors are said to have reservations over his consistency and long-term viability.
Rahul scored 276 runs in five Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, including two gritty half-centuries, and is expected to open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in England.
Interestingly, Rahul also boasts a solid Test record in English conditions, with 614 runs in nine matches at an average of 34.11, including a memorable 149 at The Oval in 2018.
But the selectors appear keen on building a team and leadership core that can last through the next WTC cycle.
The five-match Test series against England kicks off at Headingley, Leeds, on June 20, followed by matches at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.
