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While Rohit Sharma has flown to Dubai to lead India in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, reports on his future, especially in Test cricket seem to see no end. The 37-year-old has had a torrid run in red-ball cricket in the second half of 2024.
His returns in his last 15 Test innings are poor, to say the least. He averages a mere 10.93 and has made just 164 runs. He has gone past the 20-run mark only twice in this period and has just one fifty to his name. In Australia, he got just 31 runs across five innings and eventually, opted out of the last Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Moreover, his captaincy has constantly been under the scanner in Test cricket. India lost their first home Test series in 12 years under him when they were blanked 0-3 by New Zealand in October-November last year. Under him, India lost two and drew one Test in Australia.
Hence, there have been severe doubts around his future in the longest format. According to reports and sources on PTI, it is understood that Rohit is unlikely to be a part of the Test team going forward. The team management and selectors are looking beyond him.
Bumrah likely to be lead in England
In addition to that, Jasprit Bumrah has been identified as the next Test captain. It is one of the reasons why the premier India fast bowler was not rushed back into the squad for the Champions Trophy. The 31-year-old speedster is nursing a back injury which he sustained in the last Test in Australia in the first week of January. He hasn’t bowled since then but has reported to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
Bumrah hasn’t started bowling at full pace but it is learnt that he was tough and go with the short turnaround for the Champions Trophy 2025. Hence, with the England tour right after the IPL 2025, the team management wants him fresh for the five Tests and lead India in that series.
“It is understood that the main bone of contention was that Bumrah is yet to start bowling full tilt and those in the know of things said that it is very difficult to get match-fit in such a short time. Rather, he can come back for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and then lead India in England as Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be picked for Tests again,” a report on PTI said.
Bumrah’s Test captaincy debut came in England in 2022 when he led India in the re-scheduled Test in Birmingham after Rohit Sharma was ruled out due to COVID. India lost the Test but they were well in front for most part of the game. In the two Tests he led in Australia, India had a different energy and were in excellent positions. India even registered a win in Perth while his absence in the second innings at the SCG proved to be the difference.
India’s tour of England starts on the 20th of June which is 25 days after the IPL 2025 concludes. They drew the series 2-2 the last time they toured the United Kingdom (UK). Their last Test series win in England came back in 2007 and they will be eager to correct the record.
