A New Test Captain for India? Jasprit Bumrah Could Take Over as Rohit Sharma Faces the Axe
Indian cricket is on the verge of a major transition, as the Test captaincy of Rohit Sharma appears to be in jeopardy. Amid mounting pressure due to his inconsistent performances with the bat and India’s underwhelming results in Test cricket, Jasprit Bumrah is being considered as his potential successor for the upcoming five-match Test series against England, beginning on June 20, 2025.
Rohit Sharma’s Struggles in Test Cricket
While Rohit Sharma has been an exceptional leader in white-ball formats, leading India to an ODI World Cup final in 2023, his Test captaincy has not yielded similar success. His recent performances with the bat have also come under scrutiny, raising concerns about his place in the longest format.
Recent Test Series Results Under Rohit Sharma
| Opponent | Result | Location |
| New Zealand | Lost 0-3 | India (Home) |
| Australia | Lost 1-4 | Australia (Away) |
The back-to-back series defeats have not only put Rohit’s captaincy under question but also jeopardized India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final. With the team struggling to find form, selectors are reportedly looking at a new leadership approach.
Major Update on Rohit Sharma’s Future
According to a report from PTI, selectors are seriously considering removing Rohit Sharma from the Test squad. If this decision is confirmed, it could mark the end of Rohit’s 12-year Test career.
- Career Test Stats (as of 2025):
- Matches: 67
- Runs: 4,302
- Average: 44.65
- Centuries: 12
- Highest Score: 212
Despite these numbers, Rohit’s inability to deliver in critical overseas series has put his Test career on the brink.
Jasprit Bumrah: India’s New Test Captain?
While India struggles to find stability in its Test setup, Jasprit Bumrah is emerging as the front-runner for the captaincy. Though Bumrah has been recovering from injury, recent medical reports indicate positive progress, making him available for selection for the England Test series.
A Source Told PTI:
“He (Jasprit Bumrah) can return for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and then lead India in England, as Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be picked for Tests again.”
This statement suggests that selectors are preparing for a post-Rohit era in India’s Test cricket.
Bumrah’s Leadership Credentials and Test Performance
| Matches | Wickets | Bowling Average | Best Bowling Figures |
| 34 | 153 | 21.56 | 6/27 |
Despite being a fast bowler—unconventional for Indian Test captains—Bumrah has shown leadership skills, especially in India’s historic win at The Oval in 2021, where his reverse swing spell played a decisive role.
Why Bumrah as Captain?
- Experience in Overseas Conditions: Bumrah has thrived in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries, where India’s batting struggles the most.
- Calm Under Pressure: His tactical awareness and cool-headedness make him a strong leader.
- Successful Test Captaincy Record: Bumrah led India to a Test victory in England (2022) when Rohit was injured.
If Bumrah is officially appointed captain for the England series, it would signify a new era for Indian Test cricket.
BCCI’s Plan for Bumrah’s Workload Management
Given Bumrah’s history of injuries, the BCCI is prioritizing his long-term fitness. This is why he has been rested for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ensuring that he is fully prepared for the crucial England series.
A well-managed return to Test cricket, starting with the IPL 2025, could allow Bumrah to regain match fitness before taking on a major responsibility as India’s new Test captain.
Possible Squad Changes for the England Series
With Rohit Sharma likely to be dropped, the team could undergo significant changes in both batting and leadership.
Potential Test Squad for England Series (Projected)
| Role | Player |
| Captain | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Vice-Captain | KL Rahul / Rishabh Pant |
| Opening Batters | Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill |
| Middle-Order | Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer |
| Wicketkeeper | Rishabh Pant |
| All-Rounders | Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel |
| Fast Bowlers | Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mukesh Kumar |
| Spinners | R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav |
What’s Next for Rohit Sharma?
If Rohit is dropped from Tests, his international career might shift entirely to white-ball cricket. Given his remarkable success in T20Is and ODIs, he might continue to captain India in limited-overs formats.
However, if selectors decide to phase him out completely, India could see a total leadership overhaul.
Conclusion: A New Era in Indian Test Cricket?
The upcoming India vs England Test series (starting June 20, 2025) could mark the beginning of a new chapter in Indian Test cricket.
- Rohit Sharma’s future in Tests is uncertain, and his recent performances suggest an imminent exit.
- Jasprit Bumrah is being considered for Test captaincy, signaling a shift towards fast-bowler leadership—a rarity in Indian cricket.
- India needs a fresh approach in Test cricket after consecutive series defeats against New Zealand and Australia.
With Bumrah’s potential return as captain, India will look to rebuild their red-ball dominance and aim for another shot at the WTC final in 2025.
Will this captaincy change revive India’s Test fortunes, or is a bigger overhaul needed? The England series will provide the answer.
