Sanjay Bangar kicks Jasprit Bumrah out of India Test captaincy race with 'Hardik Pandya' reminder

Amidst the buzz over who will be India's next Test captain, Sanjay Bangar has pointed out something interesting that would certainly turn heads. Bangar has sparked a fresh debate by reminding everyone that if Hardik Pandya was not made T20I captain due to fitness issues, the question is, will the same rule apply to Jasprit Bumrah in Tests?

Back in July 2024, Hardik Pandya was overlooked for India’s T20I captaincy despite being a frontrunner, with selectors citing concerns over his fitness. The Indian selectors named Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20I captain, saying they needed a captain who could be available for every match, and Hardik’s injury concerns didn’t fit in that plan.

Sanjay Bangar hints Jasprit Bumrah may be overlooked like Hardik Pandya

Now, the selectors are searching for an ideal candidate to succeed Rohit Sharma as Test captain, and the former Indian batting coach reminded them that if fitness and availability mattered then, they should matter now too in Bumrah’s case, given his recurring injury concerns and workload management.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Read Also: "Leadership has been outstanding": Ricky Ponting in awe of Shreyas Iyer

Bangar said that it will be really interesting to see whether the selectors follow the same logic in Tests, as Bumrah is one of the leading contenders for India’s Test captaincy.

Sanjay Bangar was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo, “The yardstick that was taken for Hardik Pandya when Suryakumar was named T20I captain...the reasoning there was that Hardik has fitness issues; he may not be available. Hence, we are looking at a player who is guaranteed a place in the playing XI. That's how Surya was elevated to the T20I captaincy. Now, if we equate that thought process with Test captaincy as well, on that basis, Jasprit may have to miss out.”

Sanjay Bangar backs KL Rahul to become India's next Test captain

He backed KL Rahul as the best option to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s next Test captain. He said Rahul is a proven performer in overseas conditions and is a sure-shot pick in the playing XI. Bangar highlighted that most of Rahul’s hundreds or big scores have come in overseas matches, and his age makes him fit to lead the team through the next World Test Championship cycle.

Sanjay Bangar added, “Rahul 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 or 32. He can clearly play the entire cycle. He has captained India in the past, and he's a guaranteed starter.”

Meanwhile, Sanjay Bangar has also warned the BCCI against rushing into making Shubman Gill the next Test captain. He admitted that Gill is a long-term prospect but still needs time to settle into the format and gain leadership experience before taking up the tough job.

Read Also: "Retired too early in Tests": Virender Sehwag tears into Virat Kohli for shocking decision

Sanjay Bangar warns BCCI against rushing Shubman Gill into Test captaincy

The former Indian cricketer feels the selectors should wait at least two more years before considering Gill for leadership, allowing him to gain more experience, especially in overseas conditions. For now, Bangar said that KL Rahul is the better option, given his experience and place in the playing XI.

Bangar signed off by saying, “You would be mistaken if you were thinking really long term. Gill's quite young. He's got loads of cricket ahead of him. He's your long-term prospect, no doubt. But whether you want to elevate him immediately, I don't really think that there is a reason to do that because you have a KL Rahul.

I think Shubman Gill would have established his credentials in a much more solid way by the time of the next WTC cycle, and he would have plenty of experience behind him.”