The BCCI selectors will announce Team India&rsquo;s Test squad for the away England tour in the second week of May. The latest reports suggest they have zeroed in on a new Test&nbsp;vice-captain for the marquee five-match series starting June 20 in Leeds. Although <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rohit-sharma" rel="dofollow">Rohit Sharma</a> is said to continue as the Test captain, at least for this tour, the selectors have decided to replace <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/jasprit-bumrah" rel="dofollow">Jasprit Bumrah</a>, Rohit's deputy in Australia, with star batter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/shubman-gill" rel="dofollow">Shubman Gill</a>.
After the Rohit-Bumrah pair failed to lead India to glory for the record third time Down Under, losing the away BGT (1-3) for the first time in a decade, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee contemplates changing this pair for the next series. Although the selectors have their reasons concerning Rohit and Bumrah, respectively, picking Gill as Rohit&rsquo;s potential replacement makes more sense. Gill is Team India&rsquo;s vice-captain in white-ball cricket.
Meanwhile, Rohit&rsquo;s last away tour was a forgettable one for him and the team, wherein he returned with just 31 runs in five innings against Australia. He also missed two Tests &ndash; the first and the last, both for different reasons, with Bumrah leading India in his absence; and although Bumrah did guide India home in the series opener in Perth and was the best bowler across both camps throughout, a back injury in the fifth and final Test at the SCG forced the management to switch captaincy mid-way into the Test.
Considering Bumrah&rsquo;s injury history, the selectors cannot risk his career by making him play all matches should they name him Rohit&rsquo;s replacement, and while the current Indian captain&rsquo;s form is the mightiest worry for all, the selectors are trying to work on what is best for Indian cricket with an eye on the next WTC cycle.&nbsp;
"A new WTC cycle is starting. Future and continuity have to be kept in mind as far as the team is concerned. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would want a set of players he is likely to work with for an extended period. There can't be any stop-gap solutions for such an important series. The last two Test series haven't been ideal for the team, and the England series is very crucial," a source close to the information said to the Times of India (TOI).
<h2>Face of Indian Cricket</h2>
Gill has earned his name and reputation as a white-ball player for his exploits in the ODIs and T20Is but hasn&rsquo;t been able to deliver the same punch in Tests, where he is currently batting outside of his natural position (as an opener) at number three.
The report also claims that not only the BCCI is looking at him from a cricketing talent and a leadership perspective, but also as someone who can become the face of Indian cricket for the next decade. Though brands and sponsors chasing him are signs of things to come, what convinces the selectors about his leadership is his role as Gujarat Titans captain in the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/ipl-2025" rel="dofollow">IPL 2025</a>.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, it&rsquo;s only a matter of time before Gill elevates in his leadership role, but could the moment come in England itself? The chances are higher.&nbsp;

Although Rohit is expected to retain his position as Test captain for the away England tour, the latest reports suggest nothing is guaranteed as of now. Sports, Cricket

The BCCI selectors will announce Team India’s Test squad for the away England tour in the second week of May. The latest reports suggest they have zeroed in on a new Test vice-captain for the marquee five-match series starting June 20 in Leeds. Although Rohit Sharma is said to continue as the Test captain, at least for this tour, the selectors have decided to replace Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit's deputy in Australia, with star batter Shubman Gill. After the Rohit-Bumrah pair failed to lead India to glory for the record third time Down Under, losing the away BGT (1-3) for the first time in a decade, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee contemplates changing this pair for the next series. Although the selectors have their reasons concerning Rohit and Bumrah, respectively, picking Gill as Rohit’s potential replacement makes more sense. Gill is Team India’s vice-captain in white-ball cricket. Meanwhile, Rohit’s last away tour was a forgettable one for him and the team, wherein he returned with just 31 runs in five innings against Australia. He also missed two Tests – the first and the last, both for different reasons, with Bumrah leading India in his absence; and although Bumrah did guide India home in the series opener in Perth and was the best bowler across both camps throughout, a back injury in the fifth and final Test at the SCG forced the management to switch captaincy mid-way into the Test. Considering Bumrah’s injury history, the selectors cannot risk his career by making him play all matches should they name him Rohit’s replacement, and while the current Indian captain’s form is the mightiest worry for all, the selectors are trying to work on what is best for Indian cricket with an eye on the next WTC cycle. "A new WTC cycle is starting. Future and continuity have to be kept in mind as far as the team is concerned. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would want a set of players he is likely to work with for an extended period. There can't be any stop-gap solutions for such an important series. The last two Test series haven't been ideal for the team, and the England series is very crucial," a source close to the information said to the Times of India (TOI). Face of Indian Cricket Gill has earned his name and reputation as a white-ball player for his exploits in the ODIs and T20Is but hasn’t been able to deliver the same punch in Tests, where he is currently batting outside of his natural position (as an opener) at number three. The report also claims that not only the BCCI is looking at him from a cricketing talent and a leadership perspective, but also as someone who can become the face of Indian cricket for the next decade. Though brands and sponsors chasing him are signs of things to come, what convinces the selectors about his leadership is his role as Gujarat Titans captain in the ongoing IPL 2025. Meanwhile, it’s only a matter of time before Gill elevates in his leadership role, but could the moment come in England itself? The chances are higher.

Shubman Gill to replace Bumrah as India's new vice-captain for England Tests– Report

Shubman Gill might have missed out on getting picked in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad in the Americas, but his pedigree for success and keenness to improve helped him graduate from an emerging player to part of the leadership group. Per the latest reports, the opener might replace ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah as Test’s vice-captain, starting with the home season in September.

Following the change in the backroom staff after a successful T20 WC campaign, with Gautam Gambhir replacing Rahul Dravid as Team India’s new head coach, the onus fell on Gill as the selectors backed him to succeed Rohit Sharma as all-format captain.

Until this year, Gill never captained a senior side, but he was named the skipper of his IPL team (Gujarat Titans) and later led Team India in the five-match series against Zimbabwe, which the Men in Blue won 4-1. Impressed with his leadership ability and considering factors like age and fitness, the decision-makers handpicked him as the future India captain.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/i-hope-he-will-suryakumar-reacts-on-becoming-india-t20i-skipper-over-hardik-pandya-744733">'I hope he will...,' Suryakumar reacts on becoming India T20I skipper over Hardik Pandya</a>

Gill first replaced Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain in the ODIs, with the selectors overlooking the star all-rounder over his fitness concerns, and now he might replace Bumrah for the same position in Tests.

India’s home season begins with two Tests against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai, with the second Test at the Green Park in Kanpur from September 27.

Although India hosts New Zealand for three Tests after that, their crucial away tour of Australia consisting of five Tests will be a litmus test for Rohit and Gill in the leadership group.

<h2>‘Gill is a three-format player’</h2>

With Gill being one of the limited three-format players for India, the selectors pinned their hopes on him to nurture into a leader who can lead across formats.&nbsp;

Pinpointing the same during the Sri Lanka’s pre-series presser in Mumbai, the chief selector Ajit Agarkar said,

“This time with the T20 World Cup around, when Hardik got injured, it was a bit of a challenge. At that time, Rohit wasn’t playing. He was around, and we were lucky that Rohit was available to lead. We don’t want that situation again. Shubman is the guy we feel again, as he is a three-format player, and he has shown quality over the last year or so. And we have heard from the dressing room.”

Meanwhile, Gill will open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the T20I series against Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Shubman Gill might have missed out on getting picked in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad in the Americas, but his pedigree for success and keenness to improve helped him graduate from an emerging player to part of the leadership group.

Shubman Gill might have missed out on getting picked in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad in the Americas, but his pedigree for success and keenness to improve helped him graduate from an emerging player to part of the leadership group. Per the latest reports, the opener might replace ace seamer Jasprit Bumrah as Test’s vice-captain, starting with the home season in September. Following the change in the backroom staff after a successful T20 WC campaign, with Gautam Gambhir replacing Rahul Dravid as Team India’s new head coach, the onus fell on Gill as the selectors backed him to succeed Rohit Sharma as all-format captain. Until this year, Gill never captained a senior side, but he was named the skipper of his IPL team (Gujarat Titans) and later led Team India in the five-match series against Zimbabwe, which the Men in Blue won 4-1. Impressed with his leadership ability and considering factors like age and fitness, the decision-makers handpicked him as the future India captain. ALSO READ: 'I hope he will...,' Suryakumar reacts on becoming India T20I skipper over Hardik Pandya Gill first replaced Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain in the ODIs, with the selectors overlooking the star all-rounder over his fitness concerns, and now he might replace Bumrah for the same position in Tests. India’s home season begins with two Tests against Bangladesh, starting September 19 in Chennai, with the second Test at the Green Park in Kanpur from September 27. Although India hosts New Zealand for three Tests after that, their crucial away tour of Australia consisting of five Tests will be a litmus test for Rohit and Gill in the leadership group. ‘Gill is a three-format player’ With Gill being one of the limited three-format players for India, the selectors pinned their hopes on him to nurture into a leader who can lead across formats. Pinpointing the same during the Sri Lanka’s pre-series presser in Mumbai, the chief selector Ajit Agarkar said, “This time with the T20 World Cup around, when Hardik got injured, it was a bit of a challenge. At that time, Rohit wasn’t playing. He was around, and we were lucky that Rohit was available to lead. We don’t want that situation again. Shubman is the guy we feel again, as he is a three-format player, and he has shown quality over the last year or so. And we have heard from the dressing room.” Meanwhile, Gill will open alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. (With inputs from agencies)

Shubman Gill to replace Jasprit Bumrah as Team India's Test vice-captain: Reports

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Shubman Gill to replace Bumrah as India's new vice-captain for England Tests– Report

Shubman Gill to replace Jasprit Bumrah as Team India's Test vice-captain: Reports