Ashwin Believes Jasprit Bumrah Deserves the Captaincy After Rohit and Kohli Retirements
A leadership void has emerged in India’s Test team following the surprise retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Former allrounder R Ashwin believes Jasprit Bumrah deserves the captaincy as Indian cricket enters a new era.
Ashwin Calls for Bumrah’s Promotion as Test Captain
During his YouTube show ‘Ash Ki Baat’, Ashwin expressed his views on the changing landscape. He stated that with Rohit and Kohli stepping down, Indian cricket faces a critical transition. According to Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah deserves the captaincy because he may be the senior-most player on the England tour.
He also said, “This will be a testing time for Indian cricket, and it’s the beginning of the Gautam Gambhir era.”
Concerns Over Bumrah’s Fitness Remain a Factor
While Ashwin strongly feels Jasprit Bumrah deserves the captaincy, fitness concerns may influence the decision. Bumrah had previously captained India during the Perth Test and stepped in for Rohit during the fifth Test in Sydney. However, injuries to his back and workload management continue to be key considerations.
Recently, Bumrah missed several key tournaments, including the Champions Trophy and the early phase of IPL 2025.
Ashwin Reflects on Rohit and Kohli’s Test Legacy
Ashwin also shared his views on the timing of the retirements. He felt Kohli still had a couple of years of Test cricket left. Rohit, on the other hand, could have led the team at least through the England series.
In Ashwin’s opinion, their exit leaves not just a leadership gap but also a loss of invaluable experience. Kohli’s Adelaide twin centuries and Rohit’s performance during the 2021 England series were highlighted as peak moments in their Test careers.
New Era Dawns as Bumrah Waits in the Wings
With selectors facing a tough call, the debate around whether Jasprit Bumrah deserves the captaincy will intensify. Although Shubman Gill is in contention, Bumrah’s leadership experience and seniority could tip the scales.
The Test team’s next chapter may well begin with Bumrah at the helm—if fitness permits.
