Jasprit Bumrah sacked as India Test vice-captain? No VC for Bangladesh Test sparks controversy

India have announced their squad for the first game of the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma will lead the team which also includes several big players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah.

While Rohit is the captain of the team, it was surprising to see that the selectors did not appoint any vice-captain in the squad. Usually, Jasprit Bumrah has been the designated vice-captain for India in Test cricket. But despite his presence in the squad, he was not appointed for the role.

The selectors did not even consider Shubman Gill for the position. So what does it mean? Has Bumrah been removed from the role of India's vice-captaincy in Tests? The selection panel of Ajit Agarkar has left several questions to answer.

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Reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's removal as India's vice-captain

With Jasprit Bumrah not the vice-captain against Bangladesh, it means that he might not play both the Test matches. It is expected that Bumrah might be rested for one of the Tests in order to keep him fresh for the upcoming Tests against New Zealand and Australia.

Bumrah will be one of the most important players for India in the upcoming Test season, especially in the Tests in Australia. As he is not expected to be available for one of the Tests against Bangladesh, it was not fair to appoint him as the vice-captain of the team.

Bumrah came into India's leadership group in the year 2022 after his brilliant overseas performances which helped India win crucial overseas Tests.

By then, Jasprit Bumrah was the leader of India's bowling attack. Looking at his calm mind and clarity of thought, he was appointed India's vice-captain. He also led India in the only Test at Edgbaston against England.

In that match, India had England on the ropes but the home team's Bazball approach was too much for the visitors to handle. Bumrah's captaincy was impressive in that game despite India's defeat.

Even during the five-match Test series between India and England played at home earlier this year, Jasprit Bumrah was appointed Rohit Sharma's deputy. But in a huge surprise, he was removed from the role for the series against Bangladesh.

Shubman Gill also not considered for the role

Before this series, it was expected that Shubman Gill could be appointed India's vice-captain in Tests. Gill has already taken over the vice-captaincy role in Tests and ODIs and he was expected to take the reigns in red-ball cricket as well given the selectors' trust in his leadership.

The BCCI has provided no reason for the non-appointment of vice-captaincy. But a decision is likely to be taken soon and India is expected to have a vice-captain for the Test series against Australia later this year.

Before Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul was India's Test captain. However, Rahul's poor performances in red-ball cricket and injury issues did not work in his favor and he was removed from the role during the Test series against Australia in 2023.