As Rohit Sharma ages and his performance in Test cricket becomes inconsistent, the BCCI has begun to focus on the future by developing the next leadership group for Team India. This task is more complex than it may seem. India is one of the few teams that has traditionally avoided appointing different captains for various formats. Although the team has had multiple captains in recent years due to a demanding schedule, Rohit has consistently retained his role as the designated captain. However, this situation may change shortly.

Following Rohit's retirement from T20 internationals, the team appears to be finding its footing under the new captain, Suryakumar Yadav. Unfortunately, the same stability has not been observed in other formats. Reports indicate that the BCCI is interested in assigning the ODI captaincy to Shubman Gill, who has been appointed vice-captain for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy. The right-handed opener has achieved considerable success at the top of the batting order and is seen as a promising candidate for future leadership. He has previously captained his state team, Punjab, in the Ranji Trophy and was officially named captain of the IPL franchise Gujarat Titans last year.

Gill may encounter competition from his predecessor at Gujarat Titans, Hardik Pandya. According to a report from the Times of India, there have been discussions regarding Hardik potentially taking on this responsibility due to his experience. Hardik served as India's T20I captain from 2022 to 2024 but lost the role to Suryakumar Yadav due to concerns about his fitness. The new head coach of India, Gautam Gambhir, reportedly preferred a captain who would have a greater likelihood of participating in all matches.

The selectors face a significant challenge in selecting a Test captain. Rohit Sharma has indicated a potential participation in the England series; however, his and India's performance in the Champions Trophy will largely influence this decision.

In terms of performance, Jasprit Bumrah stands out as the leading candidate for the Test captaincy. Nevertheless, his workload management could be adversely affected if he assumes this role. Given the unique nature of Bumrah's bowling action and his critical importance to the team, the BCCI may hesitate to assign him the captaincy. Consequently, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant may emerge as viable alternatives, particularly since Shubman Gill has yet to translate his success in white-ball formats to Test cricket.

Both Jaiswal and Pant have demonstrated their ability to score heavily in red-ball cricket. Pant has previously captained India in T20Is and possesses experience from the IPL, while Jaiswal, though relatively new to the international scene, is reportedly being considered for leadership development, as selectors prefer to promote candidates based on performance rather than merely appointing a captain.

"Bumrah’s ability to endure a lengthy Test series or a full season remains uncertain. The selectors may seek a more reliable option. While Gill has been viewed as a potential captain, his Test performances have been mediocre. Rishabh Pant is a strong contender, and Yashasvi Jaiswal could also be prepared for the captaincy role," a source stated in the report.

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