R Ashwin lists out his picks for India’s test captaincy after Rohit’s retirement leaves the position vacant.
Although Shubman Gill is the clear favourite to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s next Test captain, R Ashwin lists his picks that includes seasoned players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
The final week of May may see the selection of India’s team for their five-Test series against England, which starts on June 20. The selection process is dominated by discussions over a potential new captain.
“First of all, everyone is saying that Gill is the captain. Everyone is going in that direction. But there is a loud option in Jasprit Bumrah, and why do we forget about Ravindra Jadeja,” Ashwin said during a chat with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan on his YouTube channel. “If you are willing to go for a new person as captain, I would say why not make him [Gill] an understudy of an experienced guy for two years before handing him the job on a full-time basis.”
With 3370 runs and 323 wickets from 80 Test matches, Jadeja is the most seasoned player in the Indian squad following the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit from the game. However, Bumrah has only captained India in three Test matches, most recently in the opening and final Tests of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and he has no prior experience as a Test cricket captain.
“I would say, why not get all three to four candidates and make them do a presentation and ask them each to detail the vision for the team,” Ashwin said. “It happens in countries like Australia. Why won’t we go down that road?”
Ashwin, who retired from all forms of cricket after the third BGT Test late last year, said Bumrah too should be considered seriously and his recent back injury should not be a hindrance.
“Look at Pat Cummins, he also had a back stress fracture, but he is now captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs,” Ashwin said. “Like that, Bumrah is our national treasure and he should be in the discussion.
“He should be asked, will you be able to play five Tests? Can you be a full-time captain? I know he had a stress fracture but I am sure he will think about it. I think the hat with his name should be number one in that ring.”