Shubman Gill leads race for Test captaincy

India top-order batter Shubman Gill has emerged as the front-runner to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s captain in Test cricket, according to sources. The development comes after Rohit announced his retirement from the longer format on Wednesday, opening the door for a new leader ahead of the much-anticipated five-match series in England starting on June 20. 

“Yes, he [Gill] is the front-runner to become the captain of India in the forthcoming Test Series in England,” the source said. 

When asked if there was another name in contention, the source said: “Jasprit Bumrah! But there will be a question mark over his fitness.”  India’s pace spearhead Bumrah is known to be injury-prone. He broke down during the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney earlier this year and left midway due to a back injury which kept him out of competitive cricket for three months. 

It is also learnt that India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Gill met in Delhi on Saturday.

Gill, who has made 1,893 runs in 32 Tests at an average of 35.05, has been preferred by the selectors as he has age on his side. “Gill is India’s next captain. The BCCI wants to appoint a captain who is young and is promising to play for a longer duration. It is learnt that head coach Gautam Gambhir has also supported this move,” the source explained. 

This article first appeared on Mid Day