R Ashwin Backs Bumrah, Jadeja As India Captain; Questions Shubman Gill’s 'Frontrunner' Tag

Team India are now in a tricky spot after captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli both announced their retirements. With the upcoming five-Test series against England on the horizon, the Gautam Gambhir-coached side is in search of a new Test captain. Although Shubman Gill is seen as the frontrunner to take over as India’s Test captain for the England tour, former spinner R Ashwin feels that experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja should also be considered for the position.

R Ashwin questioned the widespread assumption of Shubman Gill becoming Test captain, suggesting Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja as strong alternatives during a discussion with Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan on his YouTube channel.

“First of all, everyone is saying that Gill is the captain. Everyone is going in that direction. But there is a loud option in Jasprit Bumrah, and why do we forget about Ravindra Jadeja," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

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Make Gill Vice-Captain Under Bumrah: Ashwin

Ashwin suggested grooming a new captain under a senior player for a couple of years and proposed that all potential candidates present their vision for the team, similar to leadership selection processes in countries like Australia.

"If you are willing to go for a new person as captain, I would say why not make him an understudy of an experienced guy for two years before handing him the job on a full-time basis. But I would say why not get all the 3-4 candidates and make them do a presentation and ask them each to detail the vision for the team. It happens in countries like Australia and why won’t we go down that road," added Ashwin. Look at Pat Cummins, he also had a back stress fracture but he is now captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs. Like that, Bumrah is our national treasure and he should be in the discussion.”

"He should be asked, will you be able to play five Tests? Can you be a full-time captain? I know he had a stress fracture but I am sure he will think about it. I think the hat with his name should be number one in that ring," Ashwin noted.

The five-match Test series between India and England is set to begin at Headingley in Leeds, with the opening Test scheduled from June 20 to 24.

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