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With Rohit Sharma nearing the twilight of his career, the discussion around India’s next captain has started gaining momentum. Former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Anil Kumble have shared their thoughts on the ideal candidate to lead India after Rohit steps down. While Shubman Gill is the current vice-captain in white-ball cricket, Manjrekar and Kumble believe that Jasprit Bumrah should be the natural successor.
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Manjrekar: Bumrah Deserves Captaincy Over Gill
Sanjay Manjrekar stated that Jasprit Bumrah has already proven his leadership qualities and should be given the first opportunity to lead India. He compared Bumrah’s impact to Gill’s struggles in high-pressure situations, citing the Australia series as an example.
“I think Bumrah deserved it more than Shubman Gill did. Eventually, how the Australian series panned out, you could see Gill really struggled to make a mark, while Bumrah was in a league of his own,” Manjrekar said.
Manjrekar further added that concerns over Bumrah’s fitness should not prevent him from taking up the role.
“Forget about Bumrah’s fitness—he doesn’t have to captain every ODI that India plays. When he’s available, Bumrah should get that privilege,” he emphasized.
Kumble: Bumrah is the Natural Choice, But Gill is Not Far Behind
Anil Kumble echoed similar sentiments, stating that Shubman Gill is already part of the leadership group and will eventually step up as India’s captain. However, he agreed that Bumrah is the automatic choice for both Tests and ODIs.
“I think Bumrah will become the natural choice, but Shubman won’t be far behind,” Kumble said.
Shubman Gill Strengthens His Case With Champions Trophy Heroics
While the debate continues, Shubman Gill bolstered his leadership credentials with a stellar performance in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 opener against Bangladesh. The young batter remained unbeaten on 101 off 129 balls, guiding India to a comfortable chase of 229 runs.
With Gill already serving as vice-captain and showing composure under pressure, the competition for India’s next captaincy is heating up. Will India go for the experience and tactical sharpness of Bumrah, or will they look to groom Gill as a long-term leader? The answer may unfold sooner than expected.
