Will Jasprit Bumrah be India captain for the Border Gavaskar Trophy? Here's the update

India captain Rohit Sharma remains uncertain about his participation in the first Test against Australia, which is scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth. The 37-year-old has communicated his concerns to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), prompting the inclusion of Abhimanyu Easwaran as the third opening option for the series. Rohit’s potential absence has raised questions about leadership, especially given the high stakes of the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy. In light of this uncertainty, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that, should Rohit miss the first Test, his deputy, Jasprit Bumrah, should be entrusted with the captaincy for the entire series. Gavaskar explained that stepping in as a makeshift captain, especially in a crucial Test series in Australia, would put immense pressure on any player.

Jasprit Bumrah to be named India captain for the Border Gavaskar Trophy?

India’s recent humiliating 3-0 defeat to New Zealand has only added to the pressure, and Gavaskar believes that continuity in leadership could be beneficial for the team’s morale and stability. Given the challenging circumstances, Gavaskar recommended that the team management consider Bumrah as the captain for the full series, should Rohit be unavailable for the opener. With India looking to recover from their recent setbacks and face a formidable Australian side during the Border Gavaskar Trophy, having a settled leader like Bumrah could help the team focus on the task ahead without unnecessary distractions.

“It is important for the captain to play the first Test match. It’s different if he is injured, but if he is not available, then the deputy leader will be under a lot of pressure,” former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar said during a recent interview. 

“I have been reading that Rohit Sharma might not play the first two Tests of the Australia series. I feel that, in that case the selection committee should appoint Jasprit Bumrah the captain of the side for the entire Australia tour, and tell Rohit Sharma that you will participate as a player in this series. For the first Test match, Rohit Sharma has to be there,” he added.

India requires a 4-0 series win over Australia to secure their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. While the stakes are incredibly high, former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes that such a result is unlikely for the visitors in Australia. The task is monumental, especially considering the strength of the Australian side on home soil. However, Gavaskar has urged the Indian players to not get bogged down by the WTC standings or the pressure of needing a big victory to advance.

Instead, Gavaskar stressed the importance of focusing on the immediate challenge: beating Australia in their own backyard. He believes that the team should concentrate on individual performances and the collective effort to win the series, rather than obsessing over the mathematical scenario of qualifying for the WTC final 2025. By doing so, Gavaskar hopes that the players will remove any unnecessary pressure and focus on the pride and honor that comes with representing India on the international stage.

He urged the squad to put aside the anxiety of the World Test Championship points table and concentrate solely on winning each match, one at a time. According to Gavaskar, this approach will not only help alleviate pressure but also give India the best chance of success in a challenging environment. By prioritizing performance over rankings, the Indian team can make the nation proud regardless of the WTC outcome.

“No, I don’t. I actually don’t. India cannot beat Australia 4-0 in the Test series. If they do that, I would be over the moon if they do that. But 4-0. India can win 3-1, 4-0 is, don’t talk about the World Test Championship final. Now just focus on trying to win the series in Australia. Never mind whether you win 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 3-1, 2-1. But go and win. Because that is how all of us Indian cricket fans are going to be back to feeling good again,” Gavaskar concluded.