"Jasprit Bumrah the ONLY GREAT PLAYER in India squad, Shubman Gill still to find his feet"- Belt treatment given

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar reckoned Jasprit Bumrah was the ideal candidate to become the Indian Test team skipper rather than Shubman Gill.

The selection of the next captain in the Indian Test team has created more buzz than any other selection.

Read also: Sai Sudharsan goes bonkers; confirms India debut in England and his batting position

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Sanjay Manjrekar backs Jasprit Bumrah as skipper

Sanjay Manjrekar was one of the experts who wanted Jasprit Bumrah to become the next skipper after Rohit Sharma in Test cricket. Bumrah led the Indian team in the Border-Gavaskar trophy in the absence of Rohit Sharma.

But suffered a back injury and pulled out from the last match midway. After the injury, there has been chatter about Bumrah’s injury concern otherwise Bumrah was the front-runner to take over captaincy as he was the vice-captain in the Rohit era.

Manjrekar reckons Bumrah is the ideal player to become the captain of the Indian Test team, as he is the only ‘genuinely great player’ in the current Indian squad.

“What I found strange about the selection was the captain's choice. I just failed to understand why Jasprit Bumrah was not even considered. The reason for that was his likelihood of not playing the entire series.

"We've had Rohit Sharma, who recently captained India and played only three of the five test matches. We had Virat Kohli in the past opting out of test matches and not playing the full series. But still, the captain,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

Manjrekar wasn’t happy after Bumrah wasn’t considered for any leadership role as the Indian team was made for the next decade, and his experience will benefit the young players in the squad.

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Jasprit Bumrah's injury concerns

The selection committee confirmed that Bumrah isn’t available for the whole Test series against England due to managing his workload.

Jasprit Bumrah will play three or four Test matches in the England tour, despite the injury concerns, Manjrekar wants Bumrah to lead the Indian side.

Manjrekar believed that Bumrah is the only senior player in the squad at this moment, and if Bumrah is available for two matches, the Indian team should start with Bumrah as skipper.

“Bumrah's injury is an issue. You've got to realize he's the only senior and, at this stage, a genuinely great player in this test team. So, worst-case scenario, if you had Bumrah for two test matches, you want to start with Bumrah as your captain. I mean, I just can't understand why you wouldn't think like that,” Manjrekar added.

‘Too much burden on Shubman Gill’

Sanjay Manjrekar also reckoned that Shubman Gill has to find his feet in English conditions, and that will put too much burden on him.

“Now you have to go to Shubman Gill, who still has to find his feet in English and Australian conditions. That's just too much burden. I mean, it was a no-brainer for me that Bumrah is your captain,” Manjrekar stated.

Gill is ready to take the legacy of Virat Kohli forward and has to showcase his captaincy skills as well in the England tour.

India will play five Test matches in England across Leeds, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Manchester, and the Oval.