With Shubman Gill emerging as the frontrunner to become India’s next Test captain after Rohit Sharma’s retirement, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has shared his thoughts on the situation. While he believes Gill is a smart leader, Moeen also highlighted the youngster’s inexperience in red-ball captaincy, especially with a challenging five-Test series in England beginning June 20.
Gill Tipped to Lead, But Bumrah Was BCCI’s Ideal Choice
According to Moeen Ali, if not for injury concerns, the BCCI would have preferred Jasprit Bumrah to captain India in Tests. Bumrah previously led the team in two Test matches, including a win in Perth, but recurring back injuries and workload management concerns have made the board hesitant about naming him as a long-term captain.
“Ideally, the BCCI would want Jasprit Bumrah to captain because he is a very good leader. But because of his injury record, he might not last the whole series,” Moeen told Sky Sports.
With Bumrah effectively ruled out, Gill is likely to take over. He currently leads Gujarat Titans in the IPL, which Moeen acknowledges as a positive, though he added that leading in English conditions will be a real test.
Gill’s Red-Ball Numbers Still Under Scrutin
While Gill is widely seen as India’s future leader, his Test record is modest. In 32 matches, he averages just 35 overall and 29 in away Tests, with his only overseas century coming in Bangladesh.
This will be his second Test tour to England, and the pressure will be high both as a batter and potential captain. Gill began as an opener but shifted to No. 3 during the 2023 West Indies tour. With Virat Kohli’s retirement, there’s speculation that Gill might also consider taking over the No. 4 slot, although no decision has been made.
Who Else Is in the Mix
While Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer have been discussed as captaincy options, neither seems likely at the moment. Pant’s IPL form and lacklustre leadership for Lucknow have hurt his chances, and Iyer hasn’t cemented his place in the Test side.
Young talents like Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar, and Dhruv Jurel are expected to get more Test opportunities, but are still too new for leadership roles.
With five Tests packed into six weeks, managing the pace attack’s workload will be critical — another reason why Bumrah is unlikely to be burdened with captaincy.
As the countdown to the England series begins, all eyes will be on Shubman Gill — not just for his batting, but for how he handles the challenge of possibly leading India’s Test team in one of the toughest away assignments in cricket.
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