Rohit Sharma’s potential absence in Australia raises the stakes for India’s new vice-captain, with Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah as top contenders.
The uncertainty surrounding Rohit Sharma’s availability for the initial Tests during India’s upcoming tour of Australia has heightened interest in the selection of the new Test vice-captain. Sharma’s personal reasons may prevent him from participating in the first Test scheduled to begin in Perth on November 22. In light of recent developments, India’s selectors are focusing on appointing a long-term successor for vice-captaincy, moving away from the temporary appointments that have characterized prior selections.
There are two primary candidates emerging for this critical leadership role: Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah. In the event that Sharma is unable to play, the newly appointed vice-captain will assume the captaincy in Perth. Although seasoned players such as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul could step in, the selectors favor the idea of nurturing a successor to Sharma, indicating a shift towards new leadership.
Bumrah, who will celebrate his 31st birthday in December, has prior experience in a leadership position. He captained India during a one-off Test against England in 2022 when Sharma was sidelined due to a positive COVID-19 test. This match marked Bumrah’s inaugural captaincy role in any form of representative cricket, making him the first fast bowler to lead the Indian Test side since the legendary Kapil Dev in 1987. Prior to this experience, Bumrah held the vice-captaincy during India’s two-Test home series against Sri Lanka in March 2022, and he resumed this role during the tours to South Africa in 2023-24 and the recent five-Test series against England. Notably, he also captained the Indian T20I side in Ireland earlier in 2023 after making a comeback from injury. However, it is essential to consider Bumrah’s workload management, which may necessitate his absence from certain Test matches.
Conversely, Shubman Gill is emerging as a strong candidate for vice-captaincy positions and, potentially, future captaincy roles. At just 25 years old, Gill has gained recognition as one of India’s few players adept in all formats of the game. His leadership competencies garnered the attention of the team management during India’s recent home series against England, indicating his readiness for a larger role within the team. Although Gill has not yet held a formal leadership position at the Test level, the selectors are optimistic about his potential for growth in this capacity.
In July, Gill successfully captained India in a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, where India emerged victorious with a 4-1 series win. Following this, he took on the role of vice-captain during the home series against Sri Lanka in white-ball formats. Recently, he led the India A side in the Duleep Trophy, a team that included seasoned players like Rahul, who has served as India’s vice-captain in the past. Additionally, Gill has leadership experience in the Indian Premier League, having captained the Gujarat Titans in the 2024 season, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a leader.
The decision regarding the appointment of the vice-captain will ultimately be made by the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, but it will undergo a thorough consultation process involving the team management and top officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. This approach ensures that the decision aligns with the team’s broader strategies and future objectives.
As India prepares for the pivotal tour of Australia, the selection of a vice-captain will not only influence the immediate leadership dynamics of the team but potentially shape India’s future in Test cricket. The selectors have the challenging task of weighing the immediate needs of the team against the long-term development of its future leaders. Given the pace of international cricket and the physical demands faced by players today, managing both established talents and emerging leadership candidates will be crucial in ensuring India’s continued success on the world stage. As the cricketing world eagerly awaits announcements, the role that both Gill and Bumrah may play could signal a new chapter in Indian cricket, one that embraces an evolving leadership structure while still competing fiercely against top teams globally.
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