As Indian cricket prepares for a new era in Test matches following the retirement of legends like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, the spotlight is on who will take over the captaincy. While Shubman Gill has emerged as a frontrunner, former cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth has warned the BCCI not to rush this decision.
“Gill Not a Certainty in XI Yet”: Srikkanth
Speaking to India Today, Srikkanth questioned Gill’s place in the current Test XI, suggesting that the top-order batter has not yet proven himself in overseas conditions.
“Shubman Gill? I don’t think he is still a certainty in the XI. Let him score big runs in England, Australia, or South Africa before thinking about captaincy,” he said.
Instead, Srikkanth believes Jasprit Bumrah should be India’s next Test captain, citing his leadership qualities and consistency. He added that KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant could serve as vice-captains when Bumrah is unavailable.
“As of now, I think Bumrah should be the captain. And whichever match he doesn’t play, hand it over to KL Rahul.”
“Don’t Thrust Responsibility for the Sake of It”
Srikkanth criticised the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee for promoting Gill for captaincy without solid ground.
“You can’t be appointing someone as captain just for the sake of it. Let Shubman establish himself first. He’s brilliant in home conditions, but that’s not enough.”
The veteran believes that pushing Gill into leadership too early could backfire, especially when there are more experienced and consistent players available.
Srikkanth on Kohli’s Retirement: BCCI Should’ve Convinced Him
On Virat Kohli’s shock Test retirement, Srikkanth expressed disappointment over how it was handled. He believes that Kohli, India’s most successful Test captain, should’ve been urged to stay longer.
“If I were chairman of selectors, I’d personally request Kohli to captain India for at least six more months. There’s a void now, and he could’ve filled it.”
Kohli announced his retirement via Instagram on May 12, ending a 14-year Test career with 9,230 runs, 30 centuries, and a legacy that’s hard to match.
What’s Next for India’s Test Leadership?
With no official announcement yet, the BCCI has some tough calls ahead. The next Test captain will not only lead a young squad but also follow in the footsteps of two modern greats. Whether it’s Gill, Bumrah, Rahul, or Pant — the decision must strike the right balance between performance and leadership readiness.
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