1. Rohit Sharma’s Quiet Plan
Rohit Sharma reportedly wanted to retire from Test cricket mid-series during the upcoming England tour, just like MS Dhoni did in Australia back in 2014. His intention was to bow out gracefully while still contributing on the field.
2. BCCI Said No
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) turned down Rohit’s wish. According to a Sky Sports report, selectors wanted stability and consistency through the England series and didn’t want a mid-series leadership shake-up.
3. Retirement Came Early:
Since the BCCI didn’t allow him to captain and retire midway, Rohit decided to walk away before the series even began. His retirement shocked fans, teammates, and experts alike.
4. Kohli Follows Suit:
Just days after Rohit announced his retirement from Tests, Virat Kohli also stepped away from the format. This double exit left a major leadership and performance gap in the Indian Test side.
5. Gill and Pant in Line:
With two stalwarts gone, the BCCI selection committee held informal discussions with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant about stepping up as the next Test captain and vice-captain.
6. Selection Dilemma:
While Gill is being considered the frontrunner, not all selectors are convinced. One reportedly believes Gill’s place in the Test XI isn’t fully secured and suggested he be named vice-captain instead.
7. Leadership Announcement Soon:
The official squad for the England Test series is expected to be announced around May 23. Until then, captaincy speculation continues with names like Jasprit Bumrah also doing the rounds.
8. IPL: A Captaincy Classroom:
Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar believes the IPL is the ideal platform for grooming new captains. The T20 pressure cooker offers real-time, high-stakes leadership experience.
9. Gavaskar’s Take on Young Leaders:
According to Gavaskar, it may take a couple of years for talents like Gill, Pant, and Iyer to fully grow into elite-level leaders like Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit. But their current progress is promising.
10. New Era Dawns:
As Pant leads LSG and Iyer commands Punjab Kings, the future of Indian Test leadership looks dynamic. Gill, with his gritty mindset and hunger, could be the torchbearer of a bold new chapter in Indian cricket.
