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Following India’s disappointing performance in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has made a compelling case for the current superstar of the India team will be named as the next full-time captain of the Indian Test team. This comes amid increasing scrutiny on the leadership and performance of senior players like Rohit Sharma i Virat Kohliwho have faced criticism for their underwhelming contributions with the bat.
A change in leadership dynamics
Manjrekar’s endorsement of the speedster is particularly significant given the backdrop of India’s recent struggles. After losing the series Australia 1-3, questions have been raised about Rohit’s future as captain, especially given his poor form – he managed just 31 runs in five innings in the series. Manjrekar pointed out that Rohit’s decision to sit out a Test due to form issues further complicates his position as a leader. Instead, India’s bowling sensation jasprit bumrahA brief stint as captain during two Tests in Australia showed his potential, despite his current injury concerns.
READ also: Mohammad Kaif warns against appointing Jasprit Bumrah as India’s Test captain
Manjrekar picks his pick for the Indian captaincy
Manjrekar articulated his rationale ESPNcricinfostating: “It’s a no-brainer for me. The next Test series is in England and Bumrah is to captain the Test. Rohit Sharma as a batsman hasn’t done enough considering the loss against NZ at home and he opted for the playing eleven because he didn’t fit. There are too many uncertainties around him and I think Bumrah is at the top of his game. . There was nothing in the Australia series that we saw that is not captaincy material.”
He emphasized that Bumrah’s abilities as a bowler and his recent performances indicate that he is ready for the responsibility of captaincy. While acknowledging concerns about Bumrah’s fitness — he sat out the final Test in Sydney due to injury — Manjrekar proposed a strategic approach where Bumrah could selectively feature in less critical bilateral series, thereby managing his workload effectively.
“When he is not fit or absent we will think about who will lead the team next. There is a lot of international cricket going on. You have to see and choose which ones you will play. He may be rested in the home series bilaterals. Pick your marquee series and make Bumrah captain in them,Manjrekar added
Bumrah’s leadership during the Perth Test, where India cruised to a win, demonstrated his potential to lead the team to success. Manjrekar believes that with careful planning, Bumrah can lead India in marquee series without compromising his health or performance.
Navigate team selection challenges
Besides advocating for Bumrah’s captaincy, Manjrekar also stressed the importance of selecting a capable vice-captain who not only deserves on merit but is also capable of stepping up when required. He expressed uncertainty about who should fill that role, but stressed that it should be someone whose performance merits inclusion in the playing XI.
The former cricketer pointed out that discussions about players like Shubman Gill access to leadership roles should be based on their current form and contributions to the team.
“The choice of vice-captain is important, I have no idea who it will be. But I know there are guys who shouldn’t be. There are guys who would like to be, but the first thing you want is for the vice-captain to make the team based on his performances. There was talk of Shubman Gill coming in as vice-captain for Australia, but look how that has changed,“, he concluded by indicating that leadership roles should reflect meritocracy rather than just potential.
As India prepares for their upcoming Test series against England, the call-up of Bumrah as captain represents a significant change in strategy and leadership philosophy. With Rohit’s future uncertain and the senior players under pressure, Manjrekar’s endorsement of Bumrah could herald a new era for Indian cricket, one that prioritizes performance and adaptability over tradition.
