Who will lead India cricket team in Test format? Ravichandran Ashwin backs Bumrah and Jadeja amid Gill buzz
25-year-old Shubman Gill is currently seen as the top choice, but veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reminded everyone that names like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja deserve equal attention.
Is it too soon for Shubman Gil to take the mantle as the Indian Test format captain?
Indian opening batter Shubman Gill is being groomed for leadership and has already led Gujarat Titans in the IPL. According to recent reports, Gill met head coach Gautam Gambhir and could be officially announced as the Test captain before the England series. His calm presence and strong performances make him a promising option.
But Ashwin believes it's too early to hand him full control. He feels Gill could serve as an understudy to someone more experienced. 'Why not make him learn from a senior first?' he said on his YouTube channel.
The 38-year-old off-spin bowler also put forward Jasprit Bumrah, who has led India in three Tests, as a strong candidate. Despite past back injuries, Ashwin compared Bumrah to Australia's Pat Cummins, who also had injury troubles but now captains in all formats.
Then there's Ravindra Jadeja, now India's most experienced red-ball player after Rohit and Kohli's retirement. He has over 300 wickets and 3000-plus runs but has never captained the Test team. His venture as the captain for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL is regarded as quite underwhelming. Still, Ashwin thinks Jadeja's all-round quality and experience make him a serious option.
May 6: Shubman Gill met chief selector Ajit AgarkarMay 7: Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricketMay 12: Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket.But...April 19: Shubman Gill had a meeting with Gautam Gambhir at his residence for 4-5 hours when Delhi Capitals hosted Gujarat… pic.twitter.com/SilU4z1elw
He even suggested something new, asking each contender to present their long-term vision for Indian Test cricket, like they do in the Australian cricket team. That way, the captain isn't just picked on instinct, but also on ideas and leadership qualities.
As the selectors prepare for a big decision, Ashwin's comments have added weight to the conversation. Gill may be in pole position, but the calls to back someone with more experience, especially in the post-Kohli and post-Rohit era cannot be ignored.
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Business Standard
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ENG vs IND 2nd Test Session 2: Gill slams 250; England on back foot
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Time of India
29 minutes ago
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Gill breaks records with commanding 200 in Edgbaston Test
Birmingham, July 3 (UNI) Shubman Gill carved out a memorable chapter in Indian cricket history today, smashing a magnificent maiden double century to put India in control of the Edgbaston Test against England. With this knock, Gill became only the third Indian to score a Test double hundred on English soil, joining Sunil Gavaskar and Rahul Dravid. Facing Josh Tongue in the 122nd over, Gill nudged a short ball down the leg side to fine leg to bring up his 200. His celebrations were restrained but emotional — a punch in the air, helmet off, a fist pump on one knee, and a trademark bow to the spectators, greeted by a deafening roar from the Indian supporters. This milestone marked Gill's first double hundred in Test cricket and a momentous achievement in multiple respects. He became the seventh Indian captain to score a Test double century, joining a distinguished list that includes Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Virat Kohli — who leads with seven such scores. Notably, this was only the second double hundred by an Indian captain in an overseas Test, following Kohli's 200 at North Sound in 2016. Gill's feat also created a new benchmark in Asian cricket. He is now the first Asian captain to score a Test double century in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia), surpassing the previous best of 193 by Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan at Lord's in 2011. At 25 years and 298 days, Gill became the second-youngest India captain to score a double century in Tests, trailing only Pataudi, who was 23 years and 39 days old when he achieved the feat against England in 1964. Gill now stands ahead of other India greats like Sachin Tendulkar (26y 189d) and Kohli (27y 260d) in this regard. On the global stage, Gill also became the second-youngest Test captain to score a double hundred in England. Of the 11 double centuries scored by Test captains in England (four by home players and seven by touring sides), only South Africa's Graeme Smith was younger, scoring 277 at Edgbaston at the age of 22 years and 175 days in 2003. Gill's masterclass, defined by crisp strokeplay, composure, and technical brilliance, held the India innings together and steered them into a commanding position. His knock is now etched as not only a personal landmark but a defining moment in India's ongoing Test legacy in England. UNI BDN SSP
