Ian Chappell had said that the Australian way of selecting a team is finding 11 of the best players. The captain can be the most suitable one from them. Nobody gets that role unless his place in the side as a player is confirmed. One of the most dashing Australia skippers and the best in the world in his days, the senior Chappell’s words are relevant in the present Indian context.
Days before announcing the squad for the five-Test series in England, the Indian selectors are in a dilemma. There is no obvious candidate for captain, following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the longest format. This type of uncertainty is rare in recent memory and that, too, weeks before a marquee series, which flags off the new World Test Championship cycle.
A few names, one frontrunner
Going by hints from certain quarters and social media, Shubman Gill is the likely one, with an eye on the future. He had been billed as a captain in the making. There is nothing unusual in discussing him. The names of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul had also been whispered, while some former players spoke of Jasprit Bumrah provided he is willing. There are many opinions, no clarity and the clock is ticking.
By natural progression, Bumrah should have been a straightforward choice because he led the team in Australia when Rohit was not available for different reasons. There is also a valid concern that the fast bowler may not last five Tests. He did not last in Australia and had to pull out at a critical stage of the fifth and final Test. It’s an accepted reality that his body can’t sustain that volume of load.
If that’s a fair call, then what is the selection committee chaired by Ajit Agarkar left with? Unless a rabbit pops out of the hat, the captain has to be from Gill, Pant and Rahul, with the former way ahead of the other two under existing circumstances. Experts have said in the past that in the Punjab batter they see a leader of the next generation. Many believe now is the time for baptism by fire.
Is Gill a certainty in five Tests?
What guarantees that Gill will be an obvious choice in England for all five Tests? In this century, India never had a specialist batter as captain who averaged fractionally above 35. In three Tests in England in 2021, 2022 and 2023, Gill made 28, 8, 17, 4, 13 and 18 for an average of 14.66. After Rohit sat out the final Test in Australia due to form, similar questions may be raised if Gill’s bat falls silent.
He is a different character when the ball is white and his Test numbers in India have improved after he started batting at No. 3. But he was out of sorts in Australia and laboured to a tally of 93 runs from five innings in three Tests. Five Tests in England can be a long time if the opposition identifies a pattern in dismissals. Remember Virat Kohli in England in 2014, or in Australia more recently?
Unless Gill does something he is capable of but has not been able to in limited opportunities in conditions assisting swing, he is not an automatic choice. In two or three Tests, it might have been different. In a longer series, good or bad, things tend to linger. The same apprehension persists over Rahul and Pant. Their captaincy record whenever they got the chance isn’t inspiring either.
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Meeting immediate requirements
Where does Bumrah stand in comparison? His place in the XI will never be in doubt. Captaincy will be an added responsibility but not a burden, like it can be for the contenders who are batters. Bumrah will not lose as much sleep over his own performance. The few times he led India, he was proactive in maintaining pressure on the opposition and kept his flock together.
If the selectors look at the present and leave the future to assignments lined up after England, it may not be a bad idea. India play mostly at home for a long time and that will be a better time to hand over the reins to a new captain. He will be in familiar territory in case he is a batter. Lack of runs ruins confidence and that danger is bigger in England than in known environments.
Even if he plays three or four Tests, Bumrah will lead without that baggage. With no certainty over any of the batters surviving five Tests, who is the better choice for captain in a short-term and emergency measure? The answer is ‘debate’ and another ‘if’. It’s a big one. Bumrah has to agree to accept this responsibility. If he shoulders arms, then it’s back to square one.
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