Sources monitoring developments closely have confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah will not be leading the side during the upcoming Test series in England, the selectors are now looking towards other options for the captaincy role with Shubman Gill leading the pack, which also includes Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul.
Despite Bumrah’s leadership potential and his willingness to take up the role, what goes against him is his injury. The selectors may have gone with Bumrah had he been sure to play at least four Test matches in the five match series. In such a scenario he was sure to have been handed the captaincy. However, his participation in the Test matches is heavily affected by his recovery needs, considering the scheduling and the timeline of the series.
The first Test match will start on the 20th of June in Leeds, followed by the second Test in Birmingham from 2nd July to 6th July. With the way that the two matches are scheduled, a week-long gap between the first two matches allows the bowler to recover. Bumrah will most likely play the first two matches, but with the third Test match on the tail, starting 10th July, limits his recovery to just two days, which potentially could rule him out of the third test match. Every Test match also has a reserve day, keeping rain in consideration.
Moving on, the fourth Test in Manchester, from July 23rd to 27th, gives Bumrah a longer period for recovery and increases his chances of participation. However, the fifth Test, starting just three days later in London, complicates his availability.
1st Test (Leeds, 20th June – 25th June):
- Will play
2nd Test (Birmingham, 2nd July – 6th July):
- Enough recovery time (1-week gap), Likely to play
3rd Test (London, 10th July):
- Only 2 days of recovery if the Test goes till 7th, Unlikely to play
4th Test (Manchester, 23rd July – 27th July):
- 15-16 day gap between the 2nd and 4th Test, Most likely to play
5th Test (London, 31st July – 1 Aug):
- 3 days between Manchester and London, depends on how his body holds up after the 4th Test.
This particular situation has created a leadership dilemma, with Bumrah likely to play only three out of the five test matches. As a result, as sources confirmed, the selectors are looking forward and the scales are heavily tipped towards Shubman Gill as a potential leader. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are also in the running for the role, although Gill is being looked at as a front runner.
One of the most crucial parts of selecting a captain is the fact that selectors are keen on picking a captain who can lead the team consistently, throughout the entirety of the WTC cycle, a condition that is non-negotiable. Which is why Virat Kohli is not being considered for the role at the time. The selectors are aiming for stability and continuity in the squad, and a reliable captain who can provide strong leadership across the series and the WTC cycle between 2025-2027.