3 Players who could lead India in Tests after Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma. (Source – Getty Images)

The reason for a total revamp is plain for all to see. The recent debacle against New Zealand stands as a strong testament to transformation, starting from the very top. The recently concluded Test series has surely served as a wake-up call for a leadership change to be made. The need for change transcends any of the unwanted firsts inflicted by the crushing series loss; be it the lowest Test total recorded at home (46 in the first Test) or this being the first whitewash in Tests at home after 90 years.

Surely, there are changes to be made to the red-ball unit. The coaching setup can understandably not be shuffled so early in the piece, making the current skipper, Rohit Sharma, the point of initiation. There were far too many instances of there being defensive fields set by India when they were in fact on the brink of overtaking the Kiwis in the context of the game. The sapped-up environment is rightly reflected in the batting as well as the results to follow.

Rohit’s batting has taken a severe toll as well. 91 runs in the six innings he featured in just does not sit right. With an infamous stamp to Rohit’s name for being the Indian captain to lose the most Test series in the 21st century, there might just be a need for a change in approach. There is also the angle of the World Test Championship which comes into the picture.

Here are the three potential players who can replace Rohit as the captain of the Test side:

3. Jasprit Bumrah

The current vice-captain of the Test side has all the ingredients in him to be the successor of Rohit when it comes to handling the responsibility of the side. A persistent workhorse by nature, Bumrah is no less than a leader when it comes to inspiring people with his sheer tirelessness. Having been a constant feature in sides possessing a strong group of leaders in the past – be it with the Mumbai Indians or the Indian side – there is no doubt about him imbibing all the necessary information when it comes to the craft of leading a side.

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There have been a few instances of him succumbing to injuries, but the comeback has always been greater than the setback. A constant feature of the Test setup since early 2018, the pace-bowling spearhead is a hot contender for shouldering the burden of captaincy. Bumrah has always been a strong advocate for bowlers being the perfect fit for captaincy, further shedding light on his eagerness to be the chief.

2) Rishabh Pant

A fierce competitor on the field, the wicketkeeper-batter has been a force to reckon with when it comes to rescuing India from trying times. His counter-attacking style of play stands out from the rest. With Pant having the best view of the ground from behind the stumps, it can be most definitely said that he is a store of one of the most critical bents of mind.

Also Read: Stats: Rishabh Pant surpasses Farokh Engineer’s tally of most 50+ Test scores for Indian wicketkeeper-batter at home

Having led the Delhi Capitals from 2021 to 2024, it can also be inferred that he has learnt a thing or two, particularly from the then-head coach of the franchise, one of the greatest skippers of cricketing history, Ricky Ponting. Although the format differs by quite a polarising margin, the confidence and the basic principles of leadership are something that doesn’t really transition.

1) Shubman Gill

The top-order batter’s exuberance with the willow certainly does match the balanced head he has on his shoulders. Despite being the youngest of the contenders and not having a lot of experience of captaincy under his belt, the composed and forward-thinking demeanour of Gill might just be the attribute that India might need from their next Test captain.

Also Read: ‘One of my better knocks in Test’ – Shubman Gill explains mindset during epic knock in Mumbai Test

Again, the entire context might be completely contrasting, but taking over the reins of captaincy of a franchise as successful as the Gujarat Titans in the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League was not an easy task by any measure. Despite the franchise not performing anywhere close to the manner they had in their inaugural couple of seasons, Gill was hardly seen flustered amid hardship.