Rohit Sharma a doubt for the first BGT test at Perth as India start to look for their next long-term vice-captain.
Rohit Sharma is a doubt for the early tests of the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Hia availability is uncertain citing personal reasons.
The appointment of India’s new vice-captain for Test cricket has gained importance following that announcement.
Even though India played the most recent Test series against Bangladesh at home without a named vice-captain. This has historically been the case. The selectors are keen to appoint one as a long-term choice rather than one on a temporary basis. Rohit may not play in the first Test, which is in Perth starting on November 22.
It’s known that Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah are the two front-runners for the position. Should Rohit not make it, India will be led in Perth by whoever is nominated today. The selectors are in favour of developing a replacement for Rohit. India also has the option of calling on more seasoned players like Virat Kohli or KL Rahul.
Bumrah, who turns 31 in December, has just once captained India, during the one-off Test in England in 2022, when Rohit was compelled to skip the match due to a positive Covid-19 test. Bumrah became the first fast bowler to captain India since Kapil Dev in 1987. It was his first game in a representative cricket uniform of any kind.
He also served as deputy captain for the two-Test home series against Sri Lanka in March 2022. Afterwards, he played the same role in the 2023–24 two-Test visit of South Africa and the earlier five-Test series against England this year.
Alongside Bumrah, Gill is thought to be a long-term contender for Test captaincy. During India’s home series against England, he is reported to have impressed the team management with his leadership abilities in the dressing room.
Even though the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, will make the official decision, it is likely to be taken through a process of consultation with the team management and the BCCI top brass.