BCCI to Announce New Indian Test Cricket Captain on May 23
BCCI Delays Announcement of Test Team and Captain
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to reveal the new captain for the Indian Test cricket team along with the squad on May 23. Initially, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia indicated that the announcement would occur by May 20, but this timeline has now changed.
A press conference is scheduled to disclose both the new Test captain and the complete roster of players, as reported by Cribuzz. One significant factor contributing to this delay is Virat Kohli's indication to the BCCI regarding his desire to retire from Test cricket.
Currently, discussions are ongoing between the BCCI and Kohli, with hopes that he might reconsider his decision. The uncertainty surrounding the former captain's return to the team appears to have prompted the rescheduling to May 23.
Shubman Gill Likely to Succeed Rohit Sharma as Captain
Even before Rohit Sharma's resignation, there were indications that the BCCI was not particularly keen on appointing Jasprit Bumrah as the new captain. Despite Bumrah serving as vice-captain during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI is exploring other leadership options, aware of the risks associated with having Bumrah lead the team, especially considering his injury history.
Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill are both strong candidates for the captaincy. However, Pant's recent performance since returning to international play has been underwhelming, raising questions about his leadership of the Lucknow Super Giants. In contrast, Shubman Gill, who currently serves as vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, has demonstrated effective leadership while captaining the Gujarat Titans.
Although Gill is two years younger than Pant, he is approaching his peak performance level. His Test average may not be impressive, but the BCCI has recognized his potential for captaincy for some time. Thus, it would not be surprising if Gill is named the new Test captain when the squad for the upcoming series against England is announced.