Shubman Gill or Jasprit Bumrah likely to be named new Test vice-captain, Rishabh Pant overlooked: Reports

ESPN CRICINFO have come out with a report which has stated that two players are in the race to be named as the vice-captain for the Test side. Shubman Gill and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah are the two players who could be the deputy to Rohit Sharma. 

Team India didn’t have a vice-captain for the two-match series against Bangladesh. The new deputy could be announced ahead of the three-match Test series against New Zealand. Indian selectors are set to announce the squad for the series soon and fans will be eagerly waiting to see who could be the new vice-captain. 

The news also comes on the back of the announcement that Rohit Sharma could most likely miss the first game in Perth. India’s skipper has already stated his intention to BCCI due to personal reasons according to various news reports that made news late on Thursday night. 

Shubman Gill or Jasprit Bumrah? Who will win the race to be India’s new Test deputy 

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has the experience of leading India in one game. That was during the sole Test in Edgbaston against England during the 2022 tour. 30-year-old Jasprit Bumrah will turn 31 during the Australian tour. Apart from the Test match in England, it is to be noted that Bumrah has led India in the T20I format as well. 

Shubman Gill first tasted captaincy duties during IPL 2024 season for Gujarat Titans. The right-handed batter has also led India in the T20I format during the Zimbabwe tour just a few months ago. Shubman Gill won the series 4-1 and was seen leading the side with a composed head on his shoulders winning praise from experts. 

It is also understood that the selectors and team management are looking to groom someone new. That is the reason why the team management doesn’t want to ask Virat Kohli or KL Rahul to lead the side if and when Rohit Sharma misses out during the Australian tour. The decision to name either Bumrah or Gill as the new vice-captaincy could give the players enough experience and pick brains from Rohit during the home series against New Zealand.