Rohit Sharma's decision to retire from Test cricket has left a big leadership void in Indian cricket. With less than two months to go before India’s five-Test series in England -- the selectors must quickly identify a new captain.
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Rohit has led India in 24 Tests. He made the announcement on social media, saying it was an "absolute honour" to represent India in whites.
The timing of his retirement means India will need a new captain at a crucial juncture. The selectors now face a tricky decision.
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With no clear successor locked in, let's take a look at potential contenders.
Three players who could replace Rohit Sharma as India's Test captain
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has been on the rise since his U19 World Cup success in 2018. At just 25, he already has captaincy experience across formats.
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Last year, he captained India’s T20I side in Zimbabwe. He guided them to a 4-1 series win. He also led Punjab in domestic tournaments and is currently the captain of Gujarat Titans in the IPL.
Gill can be seen as a long-term captaincy prospect. Appointing him now could be a forward-looking move from the selectors.
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Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah is the current Test vice-captain and has led India before. His first stint came during the 2022 England tour when he stood in for Rohit.
More recently, he captained the team in Australia -- where his 8-wicket haul in Perth helped secure a massive win. However, an injury forced him out of the final Test.
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Fast bowlers rarely captain in Test cricket but Bumrah’s skills make him a serious candidate -- if his body can handle the workload.
KL Rahul
Rahul is the most experienced of the three -- having captained India in three Tests, winning two. He has stepped in during tours to South Africa and Bangladesh and has shown tactical awareness under pressure.
His recent form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has also been promising. A safe and reliable option, Rahul could be the selectors’ go-to choice if they want stability and experience.