Gill or Bumrah? BCCI Nears Test Captain Pick for England Series

India’s Test squad for the upcoming five-match series in England is expected to be unveiled soon, marking a significant transitional moment in Indian cricket following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from red-ball cricket.

With two of the format’s most prolific players stepping aside, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) faces critical decisions regarding leadership and team composition. Kohli and Sharma's exits create leadership and batting gaps that the selectors must address ahead of the tour beginning June 20.

The BCCI is reportedly leaning toward naming Shubman Gill as the new Test captain. However, multiple voices within Indian cricket, including former players like Kris Srikkanth, have expressed that Jasprit Bumrah might be a more suitable candidate, citing his seniority and recent leadership experience.

“Gill hasn’t secured his spot in the Test XI yet. Bumrah is a better option to lead. If he isn’t fit, KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant should be the stand-ins,” Srikkanth was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

Senior off-spinner R. Ashwin echoed similar views, backing Bumrah for the top job but acknowledged that fitness would be a decisive factor. “The side going to England will be vastly different. Bumrah, if fully fit, should be considered to lead,” Ashwin said.

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami remains under the scanner due to lingering fitness issues, putting further pressure on India’s pace attack, especially with the demanding English conditions ahead. Jasprit Bumrah, too, is not expected to play all five Tests, intensifying the need for depth in the seam department.

Meanwhile, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh is almost confirmed to be part of the touring party, according to media reports. He is likely to complement the fast-bowling unit alongside Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur.

The middle-order reshuffle is inevitable with Kohli’s retirement. Karun Nair’s name has emerged as a potential candidate to take over the No. 4 spot. Young left-hander Sai Sudharsan is also being considered for inclusion in the squad as selectors explore reliable replacements.

Former South Africa coach Mark Boucher weighed in, suggesting KL Rahul could be a dependable fit for the No. 4 role due to his technical versatility and adaptability in different match scenarios.

Virat Kohli’s decision has drawn reactions from the global cricketing community. England’s Moeen Ali called it a setback for Test cricket, highlighting Kohli’s influence in promoting the traditional format.

“He carried the format on his shoulders. Post-Sachin, he filled stadiums. It’s a huge loss,” Moeen said on Sky Sports.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri also acknowledged Kohli’s legacy. “No other Indian captain played that brand of cricket. He leaves behind unmatched influence,” Shastri told Cricbuzz.

India's tour of England begins June 20 and spans over six weeks:

* 1st Test: June 20–24, Headingley, Leeds

* 2nd Test: July 2–6, Edgbaston, Birmingham

* 3rd Test: July 10–14, Lord’s, London

* 4th Test: July 23–27, Old Trafford, Manchester

* 5th Test: July 31–August 4, The Oval, London

All matches are scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM IST.

The predicted squad includes Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Karun Nair, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami (subject to fitness), Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Nitish Reddy.

India hasn’t secured a Test series win in England since 2007. With a younger squad and a fresh leadership structure, the challenge becomes significantly tougher.