Shubman Gill DROPPED Last Minute – Gautam Gambhir Flies to Mumbai for Emergency Meeting to Select New Test Captain
Shubman Gill might not become India’s next Test captain, as Gautam Gambhir rushes to Mumbai for a last-minute BCCI meeting.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly reconsidering its decision to make Shubman Gill the next Test captain. According to a report in Times of India, a last-minute change in leadership could be on the cards ahead of the five-match Test series against England starting 20th June.
The Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir is expected to travel to Mumbai on Thursday, 15th May, for an urgent meeting with top BCCI officials. The main agenda of the meeting is said to be India’s next Test captain, and sources suggest a possible U-turn from the earlier plan.
Gill’s Captaincy in Doubt?
In recent weeks, several reports claimed that Shubman Gill would be given the Test captaincy. He even held discussions with team management and BCCI officials, who were reportedly in agreement with the decision. The idea was to groom a young leader for the future with full backing from the board.
But with news of last-minute doubts, the race for captaincy is wide open again. Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant – all of whom were initially in the mix – have come back into consideration.
Bumrah, Pant, and Rahul Back in the Mix
Jasprit Bumrah, who served as vice-captain under Rohit Sharma, was the first option after Rohit’s retirement. However, concerns over his fitness and injury history made the selectors hesitant about giving him additional responsibilities.
Rishabh Pant’s name was also under discussion, and he was reportedly finalised as vice-captain. Pant has been India’s most reliable Test batter in recent years, especially in away conditions, and is seen as a potential long-term leader.
KL Rahul, however, has not found much favour with the selectors. At 33, and with a Test batting average of under 35 after more than a decade, the BCCI is not convinced about his leadership credentials.
BCCI to Make Official Announcement Next Week
The final decision is expected to be made official next week during a special press conference.
Along with the announcement of the new Test captain, the selectors will also name the squad for the England series, which will kick off India’s new World Test Championship cycle.
