The BCCI has decided against assigning any leadership duties to pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for India’s upcoming five-Test tour of England, citing his recent injury concerns and workload management as key reasons.
Bumrah, who missed India’s Champions Trophy-winning campaign due to a back injury sustained during the final Test of the Australia tour earlier this year, has only recently returned to competitive cricket via the IPL 2025. Despite leading India in two Tests during the Australia series — including their lone win on that tour — the BCCI remains cautious about overburdening the speedster.
“We want a player who will be available for all five Test matches, and he should be given the vice-captain’s role,” a BCCI source told The Indian Express. “Bumrah won’t be playing all five matches, so we don’t want to appoint different deputies for different games.”
With the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle kicking off with the England series from June 20, team management is looking to the future. They are reportedly keen on grooming a young vice-captain who can be a long-term leadership option. Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant — both seen as future leaders — are said to be the frontrunners for the role.
Bumrah, meanwhile, remains a core part of the squad and is one of four players retained in BCCI’s top contract grade alongside Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja. However, his involvement will be managed carefully to ensure peak fitness throughout the tour.
