No Shubman Gill! Kris Srikkanth Reveals His Top 3 Choices To Lead India In Test Cricket

India’s Test cricket team finds itself at a crossroads, as the recent announcement of Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format of the game has sparked heated debates about his successor. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been grappling with this monumental decision, which carries significant weight given the high stakes of international cricket and India’s dominant role in the Test arena.

Reports circulating over the past few weeks suggest that young Shubman Gill is being primed to take over the leadership baton from Rohit Sharma, with a formal announcement expected around May 23rd or 24th, 2025. However, these reports have stirred a fierce backlash from several quarters, including one of India’s most outspoken former cricketers and ex-chief selector, K. Srikkanth, who has publicly voiced his strong reservations about Gill’s readiness for the role.

Srikkanth’s bold critique of Shubman Gill’s potential captaincy has ignited a firestorm of discussions in Indian cricketing circles. His comments not only challenge the prevailing narrative that Gill is the heir apparent to India’s Test captaincy but also raise crucial questions about the responsibility and the leadership qualities required to guide the Indian Test team, particularly during high-pressure series such as the one against England in the summer of 2025.

Shubman Gill: A Candidate in Doubt?

While the BCCI has reportedly earmarked Shubman Gill as the frontrunner for the Test captaincy, Srikkanth has taken an opposing view. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Srikkanth questioned Gill’s standing in the Test squad, suggesting that his place in the playing XI itself was not guaranteed, let alone his potential to lead the team.

“He is not even a certainty in Test cricket,” Srikkanth bluntly remarked, expressing his concerns about Gill’s consistency in the longest format. This assertion stands in stark contrast to the widespread belief that Gill’s youthful energy and potential are enough to elevate him to the leadership position in Test cricket.

Srikkanth’s skepticism stems from his observations of Gill’s performances, particularly in overseas conditions, where the young opener has often faltered. Since his Test debut, Gill’s numbers in foreign conditions have been far from impressive, with a poor average of 17.64 in 18 innings and no score over 40. This, according to Srikkanth, is a worrying trend for a player being groomed for the captaincy of a team that is expected to challenge for top honors in the longest format.

It’s important to understand that captaincy in Test cricket demands a blend of tactical intelligence, mental fortitude, and the ability to inspire a team over long and grueling series. In Srikkanth’s eyes, Gill, despite his prodigious talent, hasn’t yet proven he can be a consistent performer in these testing conditions.

The Gill Paradox: Potential vs. Performance

The rise of Shubman Gill has been meteoric. Having made a remarkable debut in the 2020 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, he showcased his potential with some stellar knocks. However, his inconsistency, especially on foreign soil, has been hard to ignore. Critics, including Srikkanth, argue that Gill’s ability to capitalize on repeated opportunities rather than performing consistently should not be a trait that guarantees him a place in the Test XI, let alone the captaincy.

This critique is not new. Back in January 2025, after a disappointing series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Srikkanth had already labeled Gill as “highly overrated.” “I’ve always maintained that Shubman Gill is an overrated cricketer, but nobody listened to me,” he had remarked then. In a telling statement, Srikkanth added, “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.”

This assessment points to a deeper frustration about Gill’s perceived reliance on extended opportunities to prove himself, even when his performances have been far from consistent. In Srikkanth’s view, a player in line for the captaincy must possess a higher degree of consistency and reliability, traits that Gill has yet to display on the international stage.

K. Srikkanth’s Top Choices for India’s Next Test Captain

While Srikkanth’s sharp critique of Shubman Gill may have dominated headlines, the former cricketer has made it abundantly clear who he believes should take over the Test leadership from Rohit Sharma. Srikkanth’s first choice to lead India is the team’s premier pace bowler, Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah has previously captained India in three Test matches, and Srikkanth believes the fast bowler possesses the tactical acumen, leadership qualities, and composure under pressure required to lead the Indian team in the long format. His performances, particularly in crucial matches, have made him one of the most respected bowlers in world cricket. Despite his injury woes, Bumrah’s on-field intelligence and the way he leads by example make him an appealing choice for the role, in Srikkanth’s opinion.

However, the prospect of appointing Bumrah as Test captain raises several concerns, primarily his fitness and workload management. Bumrah’s body has often been a subject of scrutiny, given the nature of his high-intensity bowling. The BCCI, therefore, may be wary of burdening him with the added responsibilities of captaincy, particularly given that he might not be available for all five matches in the upcoming series against England, a pivotal series in the World Test Championship cycle.

In case Bumrah is unavailable or the BCCI decides to manage his workload, Srikkanth has proposed two alternatives: KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

KL Rahul: The Steady Hand

KL Rahul, a seasoned campaigner in all formats, has captained India in Test cricket in the past. His calm demeanor and adaptability make him a suitable candidate for the role. Rahul has shown great composure both as a player and as a captain, especially in challenging overseas conditions. His ability to make decisions under pressure and his experience leading Punjab Kings in the IPL further add to his leadership credentials.

However, Rahul’s inconsistency with the bat in recent Test matches, particularly his inability to convert starts into big scores, might raise questions about his form and fitness as a candidate for the captaincy. Nevertheless, his leadership qualities and experience make him an intriguing option for the role.

Rishabh Pant: The Dynamic Leader

The other candidate Srikkanth mentions is Rishabh Pant, who, despite being primarily known for his explosive batting, has shown leadership potential. Pant’s fearless approach and ability to inspire his teammates could make him a perfect fit for Test cricket captaincy, especially in high-pressure overseas conditions. His performance as vice-captain in the limited-overs formats has shown that he has the temperament and qualities required for a leadership role.

Pant, however, is coming off an injury layoff and his form post-recovery will be crucial in determining whether he is considered as a viable option for Test captaincy. Additionally, Pant’s unorthodox style of leadership, while refreshing, may be a gamble when leading a traditional format like Test cricket, where strategy and planning take precedence over sheer aggression.

BCCI’s Hesitation and the Road Ahead

Despite Srikkanth’s clear preference for Jasprit Bumrah, multiple reports suggest that the BCCI is reluctant to appoint him as the immediate successor to Rohit Sharma. The reasons cited primarily revolve around Bumrah’s workload and fitness concerns, with the board fearing that assigning him the captaincy might impact his physical well-being, especially with a packed international schedule ahead.

As for Shubman Gill, although reports indicate he is the frontrunner, doubts linger over his readiness to assume the role. In the run-up to the highly anticipated five-match Test series against England, the BCCI’s decision will be critical not just for the captaincy but for the team’s future in Test cricket.

The Test of Time

The appointment of India’s next Test captain is more than just a decision about a leader; it is a reflection of the team’s ambitions and the challenges they will face in the years ahead. While Shubman Gill is undoubtedly a talented player with immense potential, his consistency and leadership qualities remain points of concern for many, including K. Srikkanth.

The BCCI faces a difficult choice: Should they opt for the dynamic youth of Shubman Gill, or will they entrust the leadership to seasoned hands like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, or Rishabh Pant? Whatever the decision, it will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for Indian Test cricket in the coming years.

As India gears up for its pivotal series against England, the choice of captain will set the tone for the team’s future and, ultimately, their ambitions in the World Test Championship. The clock is ticking, and the BCCI must ensure they select a leader who not only has the right qualities but also the backing of a team that is poised for global dominance in the longest format.

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