According to former India head coach Ravi Shastri, he doesn’t want Jasprit Bumrah at the helm because, in such a scenario, the bowler in him suffers. Bumrah’s leadership and individual success in Australia would have made him the logical candidate for Test captain.

Any dreams of India defeating Australia in the last Test were dashed in Bumrah’s absence, but his chances of becoming India’s permanent Test captain were also severely damaged by that specific injury.

The 31-year-old Bumrah may find that permanent India leadership is only a pipe dream at this point, and it is reportedly going to be hard for him to play five straight Test matches in England beginning next month.

You see, after Australia, Jasprit would have been my first option. However, I do not want Jasprit to be named captain and then lose his bowling ability. Speaking on the most recent edition of ICC Review, Shastri said, “I believe that Bumrah needs to take his health one game at a time.”

After suffering a severe injury, he is now returning. He will have participated in the four-over IPL. The test of bowling 10 and 15 overs will now begin. And having to be captain himself is the last thing you want,” Shastri said.

Instead of putting further pressure on Bumrah, Shastri supported Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill as possible successors, citing their longevity and age as major considerations.

When head coach Gautam Gambhir traveled to Mumbai to do puja at the Siddhivinayak Temple, rumors circulated that Gill was still not a lock to be captain.

“You groom someone, and Shubman’s looked great, in my opinion. Give him a chance. Give him some time; he is twenty-six. Rishabh is also present. Given their age and the ten years they have ahead of them, I believe these two are the obvious candidates I’m considering,” Shastri said.

The former head coach of India emphasized that India must look to the future now that Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli have retired from Test cricket, which further supported his selection of Gill or Pant for the position.

“It makes a difference that they have experience as captains and are now leading their franchise. What little I do know about Shubman seems fascinating”. He has all the qualities—calm, composed,” Shastri said.

The former head coach of India also allayed worries over Gill’s performance abroad. In away Tests, the latter has an average of 29.5.

“You folks will argue he hasn’t scored any runs abroad. You know, the subject of not making runs abroad is frequently brought up. “Go and see your record. how much have you done overseas?” is something I sometimes tell them. Shastri inquired.

Gill led India in a T20I series in Zimbabwe and was the deputy captain of the Indian ODI squad.

He has ten more years to play cricket for the nation. And I have no doubt that he would excel on one of the tours, making up for all the runs he missed previously,” Shastri said.