Jasprit Bumrah captained the Indian team to its sole Test victory in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which ultimately ended in a 1-3 loss for the team. According to a report from PTI, he is currently the leading candidate to take over the Test captaincy from Rohit Sharma. However, his long-term viability for this role is in question due to ongoing fitness challenges.

The fast bowler, whose on-field performance is beyond reproach, is grappling with persistent injuries, the most recent being back spasms that have raised concerns about his availability for next month's Champions Trophy. While there is hope that the inflammation will diminish and Bumrah may still participate in the tournament, there are significant worries regarding his capacity to manage the responsibilities of captaincy in the future.

A pressing concern for the selectors is whether Bumrah, an integral member of India's pace attack, can be depended upon as a permanent Test captain, particularly as Rohit Sharma's time in the Test format appears to be drawing to a close. The Indian selectors are currently engaged in critical discussions regarding leadership, with an emphasis on identifying a reliable vice-captain.

At present, two candidates are under consideration for the deputy position: Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, with Pant being the more probable choice. During a recent BCCI review meeting, the matter of Bumrah's lower back injury was thoroughly examined, especially in light of the upcoming five-match Test series in England scheduled for July.

While the selectors and team management remain optimistic that Bumrah will recover in time to lead the team in the first Test at Headingley, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his fitness continues to cast doubt on his ability to sustain a leadership role in the long term.

Bumrah's age a factor too?

Bumrah achieved a remarkable feat by taking 32 wickets in five Tests during the series against Australia, which earned him the prestigious player of the series accolade. However, due to his inability to bowl in the second innings of the final Test, he is now scheduled to undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

The central concern revolves around Bumrah's fitness and the management of his workload. As the spearhead of India's pace attack, the physical demands placed on him are substantial, raising questions about his ability to maintain fitness over prolonged periods, especially with the upcoming World Test Championship cycle (2025-2027) in mind. As players age, the likelihood of injuries tends to increase, and with Bumrah now in his 30s, he may encounter additional challenges in managing his physical condition, both in Test matches and during critical ICC tournaments such as the Champions Trophy and World Cup.

Given these considerations, it would be prudent for the selectors to have a contingency plan in place, identifying potential leadership candidates who could be developed for the vice-captaincy role should Bumrah's fitness become a concern once more.

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