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As speculation mounts over the future leadership of the Indian Test team following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, former India cricketer and chief selector K. Srikkanth has waded into the debate, sharply criticizing the notion of Shubman Gill taking over the reins. Contrary to reports suggesting Gill is Rohit’s likely successor, Srikkanth has voiced strong reservations about the young batter’s suitability, arguing he isn’t even a guaranteed starter in the Test side.
K Srikkanth challenges reports suggesting Shubman Gill to be India’s next Test captain
Rohit’s decision last week to step down from Test cricket, coming just ahead of the crucial five-match Test series against England, has created a vacuum at the top. Multiple reports have since emerged claiming that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has identified Gill as the frontrunner for the captaincy, with a formal announcement potentially scheduled for May 23rd or 24th.
However, Srikkanth, known for his candid opinions, has directly challenged this widely reported succession plan. Speaking to Hindustan Times, Srikkanth questioned Gill’s current standing in the Test format, suggesting that his place in the playing XI is not yet solidified enough to warrant the immense responsibility of leadership.
“He is not even a certainty in Test cricket,” Srikkanth was quoted as saying, delivering a blunt assessment of Gill’s position within the team dynamics. This remark stands in stark contrast to the reports positioning Gill as the heir apparent.
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Srikkanth names his top 3 candidates to captain India in Test cricket
Srikkanth made it clear who he believes should lead the Indian Test squad. His unequivocal first choice is the team’s premier pace bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah has previously led India in Tests, albeit in three Test matches, and is widely respected for his tactical acumen and performance under pressure.
Should Bumrah be unavailable for any reason, Srikkanth proposed two alternative candidates: KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant. Both players have captaincy experience in different formats and are established members of the Test squad when fit. Rahul has led India in Tests before, while Pant has captained in limited-overs formats and is considered a dynamic presence on the field, although his recent return from injury would be a factor in any leadership consideration.
Srikkanth’s latest critique of Gill is not an isolated incident. The former India opener has a history of being a strong commentator on Gill’s performances. Back in January 2025, Srikkanth had publicly labelled Gill as “highly overrated” following a series of low scores during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
At that time, Srikkanth explained his reasoning, stating, “I’ve always maintained that Shubman Gill is an overrated cricketer but nobody listened to me. He is a highly overrated cricketer.” He elaborated that Gill often seemed to capitalize on repeated opportunities rather than performing consistently. “Gill is right now surviving because he gets ten chances and scores on the tenth chance after nine failures. And because of that, he is getting another ten chances to succeed,” Srikkanth had remarked then, highlighting a perceived reliance on extended runs despite lacklustre form.
While Srikkanth advocates for Bumrah, multiple reports suggest that the selectors are hesitant to entrust him with the Test captaincy for the immediate future. The primary reason cited in these reports is Bumrah’s workload management and the likelihood that he might not be available for all five matches of the upcoming high-profile series against England, making the selectors wary of appointing a captain who might need to be rotated out of the side.
As the reported dates for the official announcement draw closer, the debate over who should lead India in the longest format remains a hot topic.
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