R Ashwin throws support behind senior teammate to take over Test reins

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin expressed deep disappointment over the uncertainty surrounding Jasprit Bumrah’s potential appointment as India’s next Test captain, saying he was `very, very upset and disappointed` that Bumrah’s leadership prospects are being questioned due to concerns over his workload and recurring injuries, especially in the wake of Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement from Test cricket.

Speaking on his Youtube Channel `Ash ki Baat` on Thursday, Ashwin said, “I am very, very upset and disappointed that Jasprit Bumrah will not get the captaincy (of India). I think he is a national treasure. Bumrah has had one major surgery. I`ll be very surprised if he plays all five Tests in a series. He needs to be given breaks to recover.”

Adding to the leadership vacuum, Virat Kohli also announced his retirement shortly after Rohit, drawing curtains on a stellar 123-match-long Test career. With two stalwarts stepping away in quick succession, the Indian team faces a significant transitional phase.

Ashwin further suggested that veteran all-rounder and long-time spin partner Ravindra Jadeja could also be considered a viable candidate for the captaincy role, given his experience and consistent performances across formats.

“There are obvious choices, but I want to throw in another name as well, Ravindra Jadeja. There is always news on who will be made captain or vice-captain, but their name should first be in the playing XI of the team. He must be an automatic selection.”

“Let us not forget, Jadeja is the most experienced player in the team. He should be in the conversation. If you`re willing to train a new guy for two years and then make him captain, Jadeja can do that for two years too. They (India) can even play him as vice-captain (under Jadeja),” he added.

While Jadeja has not captained India in any format, he has some leadership experience, having captained Chennai Super Kings in the 2022 IPL season and had poor results, just winning two out of eight matches, and, handed over captaincy mid-season back to MS Dhoni.

But still, at the age of 36, with a 13-year-old career in Tests behind him, Jadeja is the most experienced player in the team, with 3,370 runs in 80 Tests at an average of 34.74, four centuries and 22 fifties, and 323 wickets.

He also acknowledged that the most popular name as per reports, going forward for the Indian captaincy is Shubman Gill. Ashwin also made comparisons of Gill`s likely appointment to the role to South African legend Graeme Smith, who took over Proteas` leadership back in 2003 at just 22 years of age.

Currently, Gill-led GT is at the top of the points table, with eight wins and three losses, giving them 16 points.

(With ANI inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day