Sanjay Manjrekar, the former Indian cricketer, thinks Jasprit Bumrah should take over as the next Test captain since Rohit Sharma hasn't been performing up to par. India recently faced a tough loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, going down 1-3 to Australia. There's been a lot of chatter about Rohit and Virat Kohli's spots on the team after their disappointing showings.

Rohit missed the first match of the series, which led to Bumrah stepping up as captain for the opening Test in Perth. He also took charge in the final Test in Sydney after Rohit decided to sit out due to his lackluster form.

There's a lot of debate about whether Bumrah is the right choice for captaincy. Although he was named Player of the Series, he had to sit out a chunk of the Sydney Test because of back spasms. Many fans and analysts are concerned that Bumrah can't play every Test match, making the captaincy a tough gig for him.

When Bumrah was sidelined in Sydney, Virat Kohli took over the captaincy. Manjrekar argues that a vice-captain should earn their spot based on solid performances and merit.

Manjrekar shared his thoughts with ESPNCricinfo when asked about the vice-captain role, saying, "Honestly, I have no clue. But I can tell you who definitely shouldn't be in that position, though I won't name names. There are some clear choices that wouldn't fit the bill. Ideally, the vice-captain should earn their spot based on their own performance. Right now, the focus is on the England series, and with Bumrah expected to be fit, he’ll likely take on the captaincy."

He also mentioned the buzz around Shubman Gill as a potential vice-captain. However, he quickly pointed out that Gill's form has dipped and he needs to step up his game.

"There was some talk about Shubman Gill being considered for the vice-captaincy in Australia, but look at what happened. Thankfully, Bumrah was appointed captain with Rohit Sharma out for the first Test. Just look at where Gill's career stands now. The team should be selected based on merit," Manjrekar added.

Bumrah would make a great choice for the next Test captain

Manjrekar believes it's a clear choice that Bumrah should take over as the next Test captain. He pointed out that Rohit Sharma isn't in great form at the moment, making it tough to see him leading the Test team in the future.

"For me, it's a straightforward decision. With the next Test series in England coming up, Jasprit Bumrah should definitely be the captain. Rohit Sharma hasn't been performing well as a batsman, and after our losses to New Zealand both at home and away, plus him stepping out of the playing XI due to his form, it’s hard to see him thinking he’s ready to lead," Manjrekar explained.

"There are just too many question marks around Rohit, while Bumrah is clearly a strong candidate. I haven't seen anything that suggests he wouldn't make a good captain. It’s a no-brainer for me. If Bumrah is unavailable for any reason, then we can start considering other options," he added.

Manjrekar thinks Bumrah would be the perfect choice to lead India in SENA countries. He pointed out that the fast bowler, who took 32 wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, should be selective about his availability for key series and events.

"There’s a ton of international cricket going on, so you need to focus on the series that really count. Bumrah should be your captain. He doesn’t need to lead in 50-over games since Rohit Sharma is there. Just focusing on Test cricket, you can identify the marquee series that matter. When it comes to Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa, Bumrah should be your captain," Manjrekar mentioned.

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