Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, Gautam Gambhir is reportedly looking for a long-term captain who can serve the Indian team for years to come. As a result the coach is not in favor of appointing 31-year-old Jasprit Bumrah as captain. Instead Shubman Gill tops Gambhir’s list of preferred candidates.
Gambhir has concerns about Bumrah’s injury-prone nature and age, which have led him to communicate his preferences to the national selectors. Ajit Agarkar and the selection committee are said to be in agreement with Gambhir and even some members of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) share similar reservations about Bumrah’s leadership role. With the support of the selectors and board officials, Gambhir has already initiated leadership discussions with Gill.
According to a report in the Times of India, Gill visited Gambhir’s residence in Delhi during the IPL break, where the two reportedly spoke for four to five hours. Gill was the vice-captain of the Indian team in the last Champions Trophy, and Gambhir now wants him to take over the leadership in red-ball cricket.
A BCCI official stated, “Gill has already proven his leadership capabilities. He has been leading Gujarat Titans since last year, and this season, the team is at the top of the points table.”
UA / TDS
