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“I Hope...” Ashwin Drops Bombshell, Backs Star Batter For Test Captaincy Role

Poulomi Chakraborty

Ashwin Backs Shubman Gill (Source: @ShubmanGill/x.com)Ashwin Backs Shubman Gill (Source: @ShubmanGill/x.com)

After Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, Team India’s Test captaincy future is in turmoil. Amid several contenders, Shubman Gill is emerging as the front runner to lead the team in the future.

As the discussions are going over the topic, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has  shared his opinion. He backed Shubman Gill, highlighting that his IPL captaincy experience could prove valuable for the role.

Ashwin Backs Gill For Captaincy Role

As the crucial five-match Test series against England is coming up next month, Rohit Sharma’s sudden retirement raised a concern over who will be India’s next Test captain. Reports suggest Shubman Gill is the leading candidate to fill the big shoes of the Hitman. But as with any major decision, opinions are divided, and many are questioning Gill’s captaincy potential.

As doubts swirl, former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin fired back with a sharp response. While speaking in his YouTube channel ‘Ash Ki Baat’, the veteran spinner backed Gill for the Test captaincy, citing his IPL captaincy experience will made his leadership transition easier.

“I hope Gujarat Titans qualify for the IPL playoffs. If Gill gains honour there, it might make his transition to leadership easier. But captaincy, especially in Tests, is not about one good season. A leader should know what’s happening in first-class cricket too,” Ashwin said.

Will Bumrah Get A Chance At Test Captaincy?

Amid the captaincy shake-up, India still has experienced names beyond Shubman Gill, and Jasprit Bumrah stands tall among them. With unreal brilliance, Bumrah already led the Indian side in the longest format. But Ashwin feels even after being one of the best bowlers of the country, Bumrah’s recurring injury concerns could hold him back from taking up the captaincy role.

“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. Still, I’ll be very disappointed if he never gets to captain,” he said.

After recent setbacks in the longest format, Team India is eyeing a stronger bounce back as they are preparing for the upcoming Test series against England, starting on June 20. But before the battle begins, all eyes are on May 23, as the BCCI is set to reveal India’s next Test captain.