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"No Question Mark": Neither Gill, Nor Bumrah; Ex-Player Backs Rahul To Lead India In Tests

Soumyajit Dutta

KL Rahul [Source: @BCCI/X]KL Rahul [Source: @BCCI/X]

Following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Test cricket, the hunt for India’s next red-ball captain has intensified, with Jasprit Bumrah and Shubman Gill emerging as frontrunners. However, former coach Sanjay Bangar suggested KL Rahul's name to lead.

While Bumrah’s credentials and experience are widely acknowledged, former India coach Sanjay Bangar has cast doubt on his candidacy, citing precedents set by selector Ajit Agarkar in recent captaincy decisions.

Bangar Backs KL Rahul To Lead India In The Whites

Sanjay Bangar’s analysis highlights a potential shift in selection philosophy, prioritising guaranteed availability and long-term vision where he backed KL Rahul because of his proven overseas pedigree.

Bangar advocated for KL Rahul’s experience to anchor India through the next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

“He's been a proven test battle, a lot of important runs at the top of the order for India. So he would play all the Test matches, and most of his hundreds or big scores have come in overseas matches. So there is no question mark on his ability in any conditions, for that matter. And he is young, he is not that old either. So when you are looking at a WTC cycle, it is a two-year cycle. I think Rahul at the moment is 31, 32. He can clearly play the entire cycle,” Bangar said, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Notably, KL Rahul boasts an average of 31 in the overseas, displaying 2108 runs in 38 matches and seven centuries to his name.

Bangar Chooses Rahul Over Gill

Though Gill remains India’s long-term leadership prospect, Bangar stressed, “You would be mistaken if you were thinking really long term... He's your long-term prospect, no doubt. But whether you want to elevate him immediately, I don't think there is a reason to do that because you have KL Rahul.”

With Agarkar’s selection committee emphasising durability and current form, Rahul’s resurgence as a middle-order mainstay, coupled with his prior captaincy experience, could tilt the scales. However, Gill’s rapid rise and Bumrah’s tactical acumen ensure a fiercely contested decision, reflecting India’s balancing act between immediate results and future-proofing leadership.