India’s 1983 World Cup-winning bowler Madan Lal has named the player who he thinks should lead India in Test cricket after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the tour. Weeks ahead of the England tour, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce India’s new Test captain. While Shubman Gill has turned out to be the frontrunner for the leadership role, Lal has backed pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to do the job.
Bumrah as Test captain
Bumrah has led India in three Tests. His Test debut as captain was against England in the rescheduled Test. His first victory as Test captain came at Perth Stadium when Rohit was on paternity leave. He took over captaincy in Sydney Test where his injury hurt India’s chances of winning the game and levelling the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Shastri wants Bumrah’s workload managed
Meanwhile, Lal’s former teammate and former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri feels that the BCCI should managed Bumrah’s workload. Shastri does not want Bumrah to play all five Tests on the England tour as he has recently returned to action after recovering from an injury picked up during Sydney Test.
Lal on Rohit retiring from Test cricket
Lal also reacted to Rohit retiring from the Test format. He wasn’t confirmed about Rohit’s form and feels that taking retirement is a ‘personal decision’ taken after much thought.