Ashwin Endorses Bumrah and Jadeja for India's Test Captaincy Role

​Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the discussion regarding India's next Test captain, suggesting that experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja should be considered alongside the widely speculated Shubman Gill.​ Ashwin emphasized that leadership should be based on character and experience rather than popularity. He pointed out that while Gill is a promising young talent, both Bumrah and Jadeja have demonstrated leadership qualities and have substantial experience in international cricket. ​ However, reports indicate that Jasprit Bumrah has declined the captaincy role due to workload management concerns, narrowing the field to Gill and possibly Rishabh Pant. ​ Ashwin also proposed that Ravindra Jadeja could serve as a transitional captain for the next two years, allowing Gill to be groomed for the role in the future. ​ The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the new captain when the squad for the upcoming Test series against England is revealed later this month. ​Ravichandran Ashwin has proposed an innovative approach to selecting India's next Test captain, suggesting that all potential candidates—such as Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja—should present their vision for the team. This method, inspired by Australia's leadership selection process, emphasizes evaluating leadership qualities beyond just on-field performance .​ Ashwin advocates for Jasprit Bumrah as his top choice, highlighting Bumrah's leadership potential and drawing parallels with Pat Cummins, who overcame injury challenges to lead Australia successfully . He also considers Ravindra Jadeja a viable option, noting his extensive experience with 80 Tests, 3,370 runs, and 323 wickets, despite his limited captaincy background .​ While Shubman Gill is seen by many as the frontrunner, Ashwin suggests that grooming him under the mentorship of a senior leader like Bumrah or Jadeja could be beneficial. This approach would allow Gill to develop his leadership skills before taking on the full responsibilities of captaincy .​ The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is expected to announce the new Test captain when the squad for the upcoming England series is revealed later this month.​