Gautam Gambhir fights with senior BCCI officials in Shubman Gill's Test Captaincy fiasco

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly set to appoint Shubman Gill as Team India captain for Tests following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. However, the 25-year-old cricketer was not a unanimous choice but was finalized after an "extended meeting" with head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Jasprit Bumrah was seen as the frontrunner to take over India’s Test captaincy. He also had support from cricket legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Anil Kumble, and R Ashwin. However, the BCCI is leaning toward appointing Shubman Gill as Rohit Sharma’s successor for the upcoming five-match Test series in England.

Jasprit Bumrah Led India in Two Tests During BGT 2024-25 Tour of Australia

Jasprit Bumrah had led India during their tour of Australia. Rohit Sharma missed the first Test in Perth due to personal reasons. Bumrah was later named skipper for the final match in Sydney after Rohit opted out due to poor form.

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However, Bumrah sustained a back injury that forced him off the field and ended his participation in the match. The injury not only dashed India’s hopes in the Test but also seriously hurt Bumrah’s prospects of becoming the long-term Test captain.

The pacer was sidelined for three months and also missed the Champions Trophy and the early phase of IPL 2025. Selectors started questioning the practicality of handing him the added responsibility of Test captaincy.

Shubman Gill’s Sudden Rise Irked ‘Influential People Running Indian Cricket’

With Jasprit Bumrah's injury and concerns over his workload, selectors started looking at alternative options for India's Test captaincy. Gill emerged as the frontrunner, considering his leadership experience with Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL and his role as vice-captain in white-ball formats.

Shubman Gill's appointment wasn't unanimously supported. According to a PTI report, 'influential people running Indian cricket' were displeased with Gill's sudden rise. Bumrah's name was considered, but a recent extended meeting between Gill and Gautam Gambhir in Delhi sealed Gill's selection.

The Indian squad for the upcoming England tour is expected to be finalized by the end of this month. Following the IPL final on June 3, the players are scheduled to depart for London. The five-match series against England is set to commence on June 20.

Shubman Gill’s Captaincy Confirmed After Extended Meeting with Gautam Gambhir

"Head coach Gautam Gabhir's presence in Mumbai, for offering puja at the Siddhivinayak Temple, had the rumour mills working overtime that Shubman Gill is still not a done deal for the leadership role," the report read.

"With the new captain-in-waiting having an extended meeting with the head coach in the national capital a few days back, there is little chance for the selectors or Gambhir to retract from their original stand."

"There were rumours that influential people running Indian cricket aren't exactly happy with Gill's sudden elevation but it would be completely foolhardy to believe that those powerful men weren't taken into confidence before the Punjab batter was zeroed in as the next Test leader."

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