India’s premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, will not hold a leadership position during the upcoming five-match Test series in England, commencing on June 20, 2025. The decision stems from the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) strategy to manage Bumrah’s workload, considering his history of back injuries. Given that Bumrah may not participate in all five Tests, the selectors aim to appoint a vice-captain who is expected to play throughout the series, ensuring consistent leadership on the field .
Bumrah’s recent injury concerns include a back spasm during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year, which sidelined him for nearly three months and led to his absence from the Champions Trophy . Although he has returned to action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the management remains cautious about his fitness and availability for consecutive Test matches.
In light of this, the selectors are considering younger players for the vice-captaincy role, with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant emerging as potential candidates. Both have demonstrated leadership qualities and are viewed as integral to India’s future in Test cricket .
The Test series against England is significant as it marks the beginning of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Ensuring stable leadership and managing player workloads will be crucial for India’s success in this challenging tour.
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