Rohit Sharma will not be picked for Tests again, BCCI convinced about new India captain: Report

[rollingstoned]

Rohit Sharma will not be picked for Tests again, BCCI convinced about new India captain: Report

The need to protect Jasprit Bumrah is not just because of his quality as a fast bowler but also because of his leadership prospects in place of Rohit Sharma.

 

One of the biggest reasons why India did not want to risk Jasprit Bumrah for the Champions Trophy 2025 was that the fast bowler is being looked at as India's future Test captain. BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had a difficult choice to make when the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team, headed by Nitin Patel, kept the ball in his court regarding Bumrah's Champions Trophy participation. In their report, the NCA said that there was nothing wrong in Bumrah's latest scan reports, but the No.1-ranked pacer had yet to start bowling in full tilt. Since the Champions Trophy was barely a week away, the selectors and the team management did not want to take a chance.

 

Rohit Sharma watches teammates during a practice session(AFP)

 

 

 

The need to protect Bumrah was not just because of what he brought to the table as a fast bowler - there is little doubt that he is currently the best bowler across formats - but also because of his leadership prospects. The BCCI have more or less finalised Bumrah as India's next Test captain.

 

 

News agency PTI reported that current India captain Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be considered for Tests anymore, and Bumrah, who is the designated Test vice-captain, will take over as the leader from the England tour in June-July this year.

"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,” PTI wrote.

Bumrah has led India in three Tests so far; on both occasions, Rohit was unavailable. The opener was battling Covid when Bumrah had to step up in the fifth and final Test against England in Birmingham in 2022. India lost that Test, but Bumrah showed signs of being a good leader. He got his next opportunity when Rohit arrived in Australia late last year for the birth of his second child. Bumrah single-handedly bowled India to victory in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. Incidentally, that was the only Indian Test India won in an otherwise disappointing series.

Bumrah again took over as captain when Rohit, in a first-of-its-kind decision, dropped himself from the playing XI for the final Test in Sydney. Bumrah, unfortunately, got injured after bowling just 10 overs in the match and India lost to concede the series 1-3.

 

 

 

Why the need for a new captain and is Rohit Sharma retiring?

Rohit Sharma endured his worst year in Test cricket in 2024 when he averaged less than 25 and scored more single-figure scores than ever. Since the highs of winning the T20 World Cup, Rohit's form, particularly in Test cricket, has nosedived. The veteran right-hander scored only 164 runs at an average of 10.9 in his last eight Tests.

Moreover, India lost all six Tests in which Rohit was captain from late 2024 to early 2025, including a first-ever whitewash at home against New Zealand and three Test defeats in Australia, where Rohit's scores were 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 10, 3.

Although Rohit announced that he had no plans to retire from any format, it seems likely that the board had already had a conversation with him, keeping the future in mind. Rohit will be 38 in April; by the time the next final of the World Test Championship takes place, he will be 40. Considering his dipping form, the selectors wanted to look at a permanent option.

 

Edited February 16, 2025 by rollingstoned

[jf1gp_1]

Why just Rohit ? What about Virat and Jaddu ? Both will be close to 39 by the time that cycle ends. 

[Number]

Will believe it when I see it.

[Suhaan]

23 minutes ago, rollingstoned said:

Rohit Sharma will not be picked for Tests again, BCCI convinced about new India captain: Report

The need to protect Jasprit Bumrah is not just because of his quality as a fast bowler but also because of his leadership prospects in place of Rohit Sharma.

 

One of the biggest reasons why India did not want to risk Jasprit Bumrah for the Champions Trophy 2025 was that the fast bowler is being looked at as India's future Test captain. BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had a difficult choice to make when the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team, headed by Nitin Patel, kept the ball in his court regarding Bumrah's Champions Trophy participation. In their report, the NCA said that there was nothing wrong in Bumrah's latest scan reports, but the No.1-ranked pacer had yet to start bowling in full tilt. Since the Champions Trophy was barely a week away, the selectors and the team management did not want to take a chance.

 

Rohit Sharma watches teammates during a practice session(AFP)

 

 

 

The need to protect Bumrah was not just because of what he brought to the table as a fast bowler - there is little doubt that he is currently the best bowler across formats - but also because of his leadership prospects. The BCCI have more or less finalised Bumrah as India's next Test captain.

 

 

News agency PTI reported that current India captain Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be considered for Tests anymore, and Bumrah, who is the designated Test vice-captain, will take over as the leader from the England tour in June-July this year.

"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,” PTI wrote.

Bumrah has led India in three Tests so far; on both occasions, Rohit was unavailable. The opener was battling Covid when Bumrah had to step up in the fifth and final Test against England in Birmingham in 2022. India lost that Test, but Bumrah showed signs of being a good leader. He got his next opportunity when Rohit arrived in Australia late last year for the birth of his second child. Bumrah single-handedly bowled India to victory in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. Incidentally, that was the only Indian Test India won in an otherwise disappointing series.

Bumrah again took over as captain when Rohit, in a first-of-its-kind decision, dropped himself from the playing XI for the final Test in Sydney. Bumrah, unfortunately, got injured after bowling just 10 overs in the match and India lost to concede the series 1-3.

 

 

 

Why the need for a new captain and is Rohit Sharma retiring?

Rohit Sharma endured his worst year in Test cricket in 2024 when he averaged less than 25 and scored more single-figure scores than ever. Since the highs of winning the T20 World Cup, Rohit's form, particularly in Test cricket, has nosedived. The veteran right-hander scored only 164 runs at an average of 10.9 in his last eight Tests.

Moreover, India lost all six Tests in which Rohit was captain from late 2024 to early 2025, including a first-ever whitewash at home against New Zealand and three Test defeats in Australia, where Rohit's scores were 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 10, 3.

Although Rohit announced that he had no plans to retire from any format, it seems likely that the board had already had a conversation with him, keeping the future in mind. Rohit will be 38 in April; by the time the next final of the World Test Championship takes place, he will be 40. Considering his dipping form, the selectors wanted to look at a permanent option.

 

Ye neuj ham bh dekha hu,par post nahi kiya

 

Kaahe ki hamka majaaak laga

[deathmonger]

26 minutes ago, jf1gp_1 said:

Why just Rohit ? What about Virat and Jaddu ? Both will be close to 39 by the time that cycle ends. 

Jadeja is still performing well tbh

[jf1gp_1]

34 minutes ago, deathmonger said:

Jadeja is still performing well tbh

Rohit performed in t20 wc, won it yet i am glad he has retired. 

[R!TTER]

Jadeja is leagues above RGS in anything test, let's not get into this "purge" mode just for the heck of it!

[deathmonger]

1 hour ago, jf1gp_1 said:

Rohit performed in t20 wc, won it yet i am glad he has retired. 

my point is rohit is poor in tests.

 

jadeja is still a solid test player.

[vishalvirsingh]

Correct decision.

 

GG and AGARKAR- good job if this is going to be implemented.

[Gollum]

3 hours ago, jf1gp_1 said:

Why just Rohit ? What about Virat and Jaddu ? Both will be close to 39 by the time that cycle ends. 

Jaddu is the 4th automatic pick in our XI behind Jaiswal, Bumrah, Pant. Least of our worries at least in the immediate future. 

 

Puts in the hard yards in domestic, super fit, his feet are also grounded. 

Edited February 16, 2025 by Gollum

[Gollum]

Before NZ series, Rohit has been better than Kohli for last 4-5 years. Kohli should also go, prove himself in domestic/A tours if he still has the fire. 

[jf1gp_1]

18 minutes ago, Gollum said:

Before NZ series, Rohit has been better than Kohli for last 4-5 years. Kohli should also go, prove himself in domestic/A tours if he still has the fire. 

Virat is still an excellent player who will be become man of series in all the veteran tournaments he plays.

[lemsip]

The report doesn't make much sense. If Bumrah has to be "protected" and is prone to physical breakdown if he plays extended series, how is going to be a viable test captain ? They would be setting the team up for failure by chopping and changing with different leaders for different tests. Bumrah's value is as a bowler and accepting that he cannot play every test, they need to put a younger person in as a fulltime captain.

We know GG would prefer KL as a full time wicketkeeper captain for tests as well. Pant will be asked to work on his game and learn to play responsibly.

[Lord]

 

[deathmonger]

rohit was called maggi man in his early days lol

Edited February 16, 2025 by deathmonger

[vvvslaxman]

But but..his car driver doesn't want him to retire.              

[G_B_]

Hmm so who is captain?

 

 

[sage]

Hugely unsettling if true although unlikely to be the case based on what I’m hearing.

[Lone Wolf]

6 hours ago, sage said:

Hugely unsettling if true although unlikely to be the case based on what I’m hearing.

Lol he is 38 officially.  This is as true as it can get.

[vvvslaxman]

It also doesn't make sense why would anyone want to play Tests with his fitness. He gets pittance from this for a lot of work like standing ont he field for longer period.