Ravi Shastri reveals his two Test captaincy choices for Team India

Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has given his opinion on the captaincy options the Indian team has in the longest format of the game. Notably, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test retirements have raised captaincy questions.

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In an exclusive discussion with the host, Sanjana Ganesan, on the latest episode of The ICC Review, he requested selectors to think about the future and not pressurize Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah with captaincy. 

"See, for me, Jasprit would have been the obvious choice after Australia. But I do not want Jasprit to be made captain and then you lose him as a bowler," he told The ICC Review.

It’s important to note that Jasprit Bumrah has led Team India in three games so far. While he bagged a 295-run win over Australia in Perth, he suffered defeats in two other games against England and Australia away from home.

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It’s worth noting that the 31-year-old pacer has been ruled out of international action from January until April. However, he made his return in the Indian Premier League 2025 season for Mumbai Indians after missing out on the initial few games.

"I think he (Bumrah) has to take his body one game at a time. He is coming back now after a serious injury," Shastri observed.

"He will have played IPL cricket, which is four-over cricket. Now will come the test of bowling 10 overs, 15 overs. And the last thing you want is some pressure on his mind being captain as well,” he stated.

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Instead of picking Bumrah and straining him with extreme pressure, Shastri feels Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are perfect options to lead the Indian team, courtesy of their age and longevity being the key factors behind their picks.

"You groom somebody, and I would say Shubman looked very good. Give him the opportunity. He is 25, 26 years of age, even give him time," Shastri said.

"There is Rishabh as well. I think these two are the obvious ones I am looking at because of their age, and they have a decade ahead of them. So, let them learn," he concluded.

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