Five players who can become the next Test captain of India

The Indian Test Team is currently being led by Rohit Sharma who is 35 years of age. His reign as the skipper of the Test side will be a short one since he is not getting any younger and could announce retirement in the near future. Hence India will have to look for a new captain going forward.

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The Indian Test match side will go through a transition in a few years' time, so the Test side has to look for a new captain. Whether India will opt for split captaincy in red-and-white ball cricket, remains to be seen.

Here are the five players who could replace Rohit as captain of India in Test cricket:

1. KL Rahul

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KL Rahul (Source: Twitter)

KL Rahul has been the bonafide vice-captain of the Indian Team whenever the senior players have been rested and also whenever Rohit has been injured. He has had some experience leading the side. He led the Men in Blue for the first time in South Africa in the ODIs where India lost 3-0. The last assignment that Rahul led India in was the tour to Zimbabwe where India won the ODIs 3-0.

The downside to Rahul has been that he has not shown signs that he can do well as captain. The opening batter has felt the pressure of captaincy which has affected his performance and also in recent times, he has not been a part of the Test Team. Even if he is made captain it will be for a short stint.

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2. Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah (Source: Twitter)

Jasprit Bumrah has captained India once in a test match in England, in the absence of Rohit. He did well in the Test match as skipper but India lost the game. Bumrah can be looked at as an option as a Test captain, but, considering the heavy workload in international cricket, it remains to be seen whether Bumrah will get the nod.

The India pace spearhead has battled his fair share of injuries and he had to miss the 20-20 World Cup 2022 in Australia due to a back injury. Although there is an outside chance for him to captain, it will be tough for him if he gets the job as he has to decide when to bowl and also many other decisions. Batters are generally preferred as captains to bowlers.

3. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja (Source: Twitter)

Ravindra Jadeja has improved massively as a batter over the last few years. In 60 Test matches, he has scored 2523 runs at an average of 36.56. When it comes to the ball, he has 242 Test wickets to his name at an average of 24.71.

He has also captained the Chennai side in the Indian T20 League last season. It remains to be seen how long he will be at the helm if he captains the Test side. If he leads the test side then it will be a new era under one of India’s finest fielders.

4. Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara (Source: Twitter)

Cheteshwar Pujara has been the bedrock of the Indian Test side and he has had a wonderful career as a Test batter. He has wowed sides all over the world with his wonderful technique and resolute defence. In an Indian Test side which is filled with stroke makers, He has been a point of difference.

He has a very slight chance of becoming the captain of the Indian Test side as he is 34 years of age at present. If he ends up getting the captaincy, then it will be for a short stint on an interim basis. He has not been able to cement his place on the Test side recently. He has scored 6792 runs in 96 matches.

5. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant (Source: Twitter)

Rishabh Pant has been a revelation for India in Tests as he has taken like a duck to water. He has scored hundreds in England and Australia. In just 31 matches, he has scored 2123 runs at an average of 43.32 and a strike rate of 72.65. He has played some heroic knocks for India over the years.

Pant has been captain of Delhi in domestic cricket, so he has some captaincy experience behind him. He has also led the Delhi franchise in the Indian T20 league. He could lead the Test side as he is still young and has age on his side.