Bumrah Unlikely to Lead India in England Test Series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly hesitant to name Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the forthcoming five-Test series against England. This decision stems from concerns regarding his previous injuries and the need for careful workload management.

Bumrah sustained a back injury during the final Test of India’s 2024–25 tour of Australia, sidelining him for approximately three months. Consequently, he was absent during India’s successful Champions Trophy campaign.

With India set to begin a new ICC World Test Championship cycle in England, the BCCI is proactively planning and aims to appoint a vice-captain who can participate in all five Test matches.

Although Bumrah has returned to competitive cricket in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), after missing some initial matches for Mumbai Indians due to injury rehabilitation, questions persist about his ability to endure every match in the demanding England series.

Bumrah previously captained India in two of the three Tests in Australia when regular captain Rohit Sharma was unavailable. He led the team to its sole victory on that tour. Despite his demonstrated leadership abilities, the board’s primary focus remains on managing his physical well-being.

A BCCI official stated, “We are looking for a player who can be available for all five Test matches and confidently assume the vice-captaincy.”

He further explained, “Bumrah is unlikely to play every match, making it impractical to frequently change the vice-captain. It is preferable to maintain a consistent leadership structure throughout the series.”

Reports suggest that the team management is considering younger players for the vice-captain’s role, with an eye toward nurturing future leadership potential. Shubman Gill, a top-order batter, and Rishabh Pant, a wicketkeeper-batter, are reportedly among the leading candidates.

Bumrah is currently among the top-tier players in the BCCI’s annual central contracts, alongside Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.

The highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and England is scheduled to commence on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. The remaining matches will take place at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.