Indian cricket is on the cusp of a generational shift before the England tour, as Shubman Gill is reportedly emerging as the frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma as Test captain following his abrupt retirement from the format on Wednesday, May 7.Â
The announcement, which came via an emotional Instagram Story from Rohit, marks the end of an era and sets the stage for a new chapter under the promising 25-year-old batter, who will likely lead India in this transition phase.
Rohit Sharma, a stalwart of Indian cricket, retired from Test cricket after a 12-year career that saw him score 4,301 runs in 67 Tests at an average of 40.57. His captaincy tenure, spanning 24 matches, yielded 12 victories but was marred by recent setbacks, including a 0-3 home series loss to New Zealand and a 1-3 defeat in Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
The Indian Express reported that the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, had already decided to relieve Rohit of the captaincy due to his prolonged poor form, averaging just 6.63 in his last 11 Test innings.Â
"Hello everyone I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It’s been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years," Rohit posted a photo of his Test cap in an Instagram story to announce his retirement.
Why is Shubman Gill Replacing Rohit Sharma as India’s Test Captain and Not Jasprit Bumrah?
Shubman Gill, with 32 Tests and 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05, is the selectors’ top choice to take the leadership reins, as reported by The Indian Express. The selection panel will have a discussion on this with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) before the announcement.
Notably, Jasprit Bumrah, who led India to a Test victory in Perth during the Australia tour, will be overlooked for the captaincy. The report clarified that Bumrah’s injury-prone history and the need to manage his workload as India’s premier fast bowler were decisive factors. It is unlikely that Bumrah will play all five Test matches versus England.
"We want a player who will be available for all five Test matches and he (Bumrah) should be given the vice captain’s role," a source said as quoted.
Gill’s journey to this moment has been marked by flashes of brilliance. His 91-run knock at the Gabba in 2021 announced his arrival, but inconsistency abroad has fueled debate about his readiness.Â
Despite this, the BCCI sees Gill as a long-term investment, particularly with the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle looming. He is currently leading the Gujarat Titans (GT), who hold the top spot on the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) points table.
The Test series between India and England will commence on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
Also read: Great Player For India"- Watch - Sourav Ganguly Opines On Rohit Sharma's Test Retirement
