Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket has left national selectors in a race against time to appoint a new captain ahead of the upcoming five-match Test series against England. The timing couldn’t be more delicate, as the series marks the beginning of the 2025-27 cycle of World Test Championship. 

Rohit Sharma called time on his Test career on May 7 but he will continue playing ODI cricket. While there have been reports that Shubman Gill can be the top contender for the top job, former India selector MSK Prasad feels that Jasprit Bumrah should be handed India’s Test captaincy. Jasprit Bumrah has previously led India in two Test matches during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He captained India in the first and the fifth, where India claimed victory in the first Test but lost the fifth.

“Why not, man? Why not? Since he’s fit now, why not?” Prasad said told India Today.

“You have three choices right now: Bumrah, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul. These are the three options. If you’re looking at Bumrah, he will obviously play both cycles—this one and the next—so there’s nothing wrong. And whatever opportunities he’s had to lead, he’s done extremely well,” Prasad added.

MSK felt that Gill needs one or two series to focus on his batting.

“I think I’m okay with either of them (Gill or Bumrah). They’re considering both. I think to start off with a series like England, we don’t want anyone getting under pressure. See, I think Shubman needs one good series in England or New Zealand so he can focus on his batting."

“So, I think Bumrah is a fantastic leader. There’s no second thought about that. You can start with Bumrah and make Shubman vice-captain,” Prasad said.