R Ashwin on India’s Test Captaincy: Bumrah for Long-Term, Jadeja for Now, Gill for the Future
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has added an intriguing twist to the conversation around India’s next Test captain following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. While the spotlight has largely been on young Shubman Gill, Ashwin has made a compelling case for Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja as viable options for leading the side in the transitional phase of Indian Test cricket.
Bumrah – A National Treasure, But Fragile?
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin endorsed Jasprit Bumrah as the ideal candidate to take over the red-ball captaincy, calling him a “national treasure”. However, he also expressed concern about Bumrah’s long-term availability, citing his history of injuries and workload management.
“Bumrah has had one major surgery. I’ll be very surprised if he plays all five Tests in a series. He needs to be given breaks to recover,” Ashwin remarked. “Still, I’ll be very disappointed if he never gets to captain.”
Despite his injury concerns, Bumrah’s tactical intelligence, on-field composure, and proven leadership during India’s historic Test win at The Oval in 2021 have made him a fan-favorite and a strong contender in Ashwin’s eyes.
Why Not Ravindra Jadeja?
While Bumrah remains a long-term choice, Ashwin floated a short-term solution in the form of Ravindra Jadeja, India’s most experienced player in the current Test setup.
“Let’s not forget, Jadeja is the most experienced player in the team. If you’re willing to train a new guy for two years and then make him captain, Jadeja can do that for two years too,” Ashwin argued.
He further elaborated that Jadeja could act as a transitional leader, giving time for younger players like Gill or Rishabh Pant to mature into leadership roles, without bearing the immediate burden of expectations.
Shubman Gill – India’s Next Graeme Smith?
Ashwin also acknowledged that public sentiment appears to favor Shubman Gill, likening the situation to Graeme Smith, who became South Africa’s captain at the age of 22.
“I hope Gujarat Titans qualify for the IPL playoffs. If Gill gains honour there, it might make his leadership transition easier,” Ashwin noted. “But captaincy, especially in Tests, is not about one good season. A leader should know what’s happening in first-class cricket too.”
Ashwin’s nuanced take implies that while Gill has the temperament and class to lead, thrusting him into the role without adequate preparation may be premature.
Call for a Structured Selection Process
In a broader critique of how Indian cricket leadership is decided, Ashwin emphasized the need for transparency and a formal interview process to evaluate captaincy candidates.
“Captain, coach, and selector can make or break careers. That’s why I believe there should be an interview process. Leadership is about character,” Ashwin said.
He stressed that unless the leadership group has a clear understanding of a player’s vision and character, any appointment can be misguided and potentially damaging.
Jadeja’s Brief Stint as CSK Captain
Ashwin briefly referenced Jadeja’s short-lived captaincy stint with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2022. Though not very successful, Ashwin believes that isolated instances should not disqualify a player from Test captaincy, especially one with Jadeja’s caliber, maturity, and international experience.
“It will seem like I’m throwing in a wildcard, but Jadeja should be in the conversation,” Ashwin concluded.
Final Word
With Rohit Sharma’s retirement marking the end of an era, the hunt for India’s next Test captain is heating up. While Gill may represent the future, Ashwin’s suggestion to consider Jadeja as a stop-gap leader and Bumrah as a long-term captain adds a new dimension to the debate.
As selectors prepare for a crucial five-match Test series in England, the leadership call could shape the future of Indian red-ball cricket for years to come.
