With Rohit Sharma stepping down from Test cricket, India faces a pivotal leadership transition ahead of the high-profile five-match Test series against England starting June 20. While Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill has emerged as a frontrunner, the omission of Jasprit Bumrah from the top of the captaincy conversation has sparked sharp criticism—most notably from former India cricketer and broadcaster Sanjay Manjrekar.
Manjrekar took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to question the rationale behind overlooking Bumrah, arguing that the pacer’s influence and credentials in the red-ball format demand more serious consideration.
Manjrekar: ‘Why are we discussing alternatives?’
Manjrekar’s comments center on what he sees as premature assumptions about Bumrah’s fitness and willingness to lead.
“Has Bumrah said he won’t captain India? Or has he ruled himself out of the England series? Then why are we discussing who will captain India?” — Sanjay Manjrekar on X
Despite chatter within Indian cricket circles around whether Bumrah can handle both the workload of spearheading the bowling attack and the responsibilities of captaincy, Manjrekar argues that no official word has come from Bumrah himself.
Injury concerns should not override impact
The reluctance from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel reportedly stems from concerns over Bumrah’s fitness and workload. At 31, Bumrah has faced serious back issues in recent seasons and underwent major surgery, though he returned to lead India’s attack impressively during the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he was the leading wicket-taker.
Manjrekar, however, believes this line of reasoning is flawed.
“If Bumrah’s availability because of injuries is the issue, didn’t we have Rohit captain India in just three of the five Tests in Australia recently?” — Sanjay Manjrekar on X
“Availability can’t be the be all and end all. Deservability is far more important, especially in Test cricket.” — Sanjay Manjrekar on X
He pointed to Rohit’s limited availability during India’s recent tour of Australia—where Rohit missed two of five Tests—as evidence that availability alone has not always determined captaincy decisions.
Bumrah’s leadership experience and stature
Bumrah has already led India in Test cricket, including in the rescheduled fifth Test against England in 2022 and again in the recent Border-Gavaskar series. Though not a regular captain, he commands immense respect as one of the modern era’s most dominant fast bowlers.
“The captaincy conversation should begin with the most impactful player of the generation, and in India’s current red-ball set-up, that is unquestionably Bumrah.” — Sanjay Manjrekar
For Manjrekar, Bumrah’s cricketing impact makes him a natural candidate to succeed Rohit—not someone who should be dismissed over fitness speculation.
Gill’s case: long-term leadership potential
Despite Bumrah’s credentials, selectors appear intrigued by Shubman Gill’s long-term value. At 26, Gill has cemented his spot at No. 3 in India’s Test lineup and is being groomed for even greater responsibility, potentially succeeding Virat Kohli at No. 4. His leadership role with the Gujarat Titans in the IPL adds to his profile.
With squad selection for the England series expected later this month, Agarkar’s panel is balancing Gill’s age and consistency against Bumrah’s proven leadership and elite performance.
A pivotal decision ahead
As India prepares for the England Tests, the captaincy debate reflects a broader question of how the team prioritizes experience, form, fitness, and future planning. Manjrekar’s pointed remarks on X have reignited the conversation around whether India’s most impactful red-ball player is being unfairly sidelined.
With no official word from Bumrah, and the decision expected soon, the spotlight remains firmly on the selection committee—and how they define leadership in a new era of Indian Test cricket.
Has Bumrah said he won’t captain India? Or has he ruled himself out of the England series? Then why are we discussing who will captain India? 🤯
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 18, 2025
If Bumrah’s availability because of injuries is the issue, didn’t we have Rohit captain India in just 3 off the 5 Tests in Aus recently? Availability can’t be the be all & end all, deservability far more important. Especially in Tests. 🙏
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 18, 2025
