Shubman Gill’s leadership hopes dashed! Sanjay Manjrekar sends BCCI stern warning over Test VC selection

Former India National Cricket Team player Sanjay Manjrekar talked about who should be the next captain and vice-captain for the team in the longest format of the game. He said that leadership should be given to those who will get into playing XI on merit, as he pointed out Shubman Gill.

The India National Cricket Team are in the middle of nowhere in Test cricket. There is no clarity over the future of senior players in the team, and it's fair to say that the team doesn't even have a captain. This was because Rohit Sharma dropped himself from the last game against Australia and with his poor form, there isn't surety if he will get the role again.

In his absence, Jasprit Bumrah captained the team and did a great job. But to give the pacer full-time captaincy, his workload becomes the major topic. Hence, to give him the leadership would mean keeping his career at stake.

There were talks about handling the role of Shubman Gill as well. Ahead of the series, it was reported that he would be given the vice-captaincy of the team as BCCI wants him to get nurtured under the guidance of senior players. But that wasn't the case, as his poor form with the bat has raised questions about his place in the team, too.

Look where's Gill's career is right now - Sanjay Manjrekar on making batter vice-captain

Sanjay Manjrekar was asked about who should be the Test captain of the team. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that he had no idea but stressed that the team should look to name vice-captain first if they are seeing Jasprit Bumrah as captain. He also talked about Shubman Gill's poor form, saying that the vice-captain should be picked based on merit. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he explained:

"I have no idea. But I know who shouldn't be, and I won't say it. There are some obvious guys you wouldn't want. The first thing you want is for the vice-captain to walk into the team based on his own performances. For the moment, you are focusing on the England series, and you are expecting Bumrah to be fit, and he becomes your captain."

"There was some talk about Shubman Gill being there in Australia as the vice-captain, and look what happened. Bumrah, thankfully, was made the captain, with Rohit Sharma missing the first Test. Look where Gill's career is right now. The first thing you should make the team on merit."

Jasprit Bumrah has to be your next Test captain - Sanjay Manjrekar

Sanjay Manjrekar further batted for Jasprit Bumrah to be the next Test captain of India National Cricket Team. He believes that Rohit Sharma's tenure as the captain is over and pacer should take over even if he is unfit. He added that someone else could fill in his shoes when the fast bowler is injured. He explained:

"It's a no-brainer for me. The next Test series is going to be in England. So more of the same. Jasprit Bumrah has to be your next Test captain. I don't think Rohit Sharma has done enough as a batter, and considering we lost to New Zealand at home and here, plus he opted out of the playing XI because he didn't feel he fitted in because of his form. So what's going to get him to think differently that 'I'm in form right now and I'm opting in.

"There are too many uncertainties around him, and Bumrah is at the top of his name, and there is nothing out there that we saw where he doesn't seem to have captaincy material. A no-brainer for me. He has to be Test captain when he is unfit or missing anything, then we will think about who's going to be the right one."

Pick out those marquee series and keep him captain for important series - Sanjay Manjrekar on Jasprit Bumrah

Sanjay Manjrekar added that Jasprit Bumrah should be made captain, and team management should play him in the series, which will be important for the team. He elaborated:

"For example, there is so much international cricket happening, you have to pick up series that matters. Bumrah is your captain. He doesn't have to captain 50-over cricket because of Rohit Sharma. Just talk Test cricket right now, pick out those marquee series and you will know which is the important one. When you go to Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa, Bumrah is your captain." concluded Sanjay Manjrekar

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