Jasprit Bumrah Opts Out of India’s Test Captaincy Race; Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant Emerge as Frontrunners

Jasprit Bumrah Opts Out of India’s Test Captaincy Race: India's outstanding pacer Jasprit Bumrah has eliminated himself from consideration for the next Test captaincy after Rohit Sharma's retirement, according to information from Sky Sports with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant reportedly ahead of Bumrah in the race.

Rohit announced his Test retirement on 7 May with many believing Bumrah was a shoo-in to become India's next skipper. Bumrah has led India in three Tests, with one in England and two in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, including a famous victory in the Perth Test because Rohit was absent for the birth of his second child.

According to Sky Sports, Bumrah is out of the captaincy race due to him not being able to commit to playing all five Tests in England because of workload management. Bumrah missed the Champions Trophy earlier this year due to a back injury suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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With Bumrah being uncertain for all five Tests the selectors would like to have someone available that can be there frequently. With Gill and Pant now both in prime position, it is expected that the selectors will meet next week to discuss Gill vs Pant. Whoever decides not to be captain is expected to be announced as vice-captain.

Gill and Pant to lead the new age of Indian cricket after Rohit loses steam

An earlier report from PTI said that Gill was to be named Test captain with Pant as vice-captain. Gill is already vice-captain for India in white-ball cricket. His captaincy has also been incredible in 2025 for the Gujarat Titans during the IPL, before the tournament was suspended.

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India tour of England schedule

• First Test: Friday June 20-Tuesday June 24 - Headingley
• Second Test: Wednesday July 2-Sunday July 6 - Edgbaston
• Third Test: Thursday July 10-Monday July 14 - Lord's
• Fourth Test: Wednesday July 23-Sunday July 27 - Emirates Old Trafford
• Fifth Test: Thursday July 31-Monday August 4 - The Kia Oval

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