Captaincy vacuum in Indian test cricket: Gill and Pant in the spotlight

The BCCI is actively searching for a new Test captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the longest format of the game. Adding to the leadership void, Virat Kohli has reportedly informed the BCCI of his desire to step away from red-ball cricket as well.

Last week, Rohit Sharma officially brought an end to his Test career. By Saturday, Kohli also expressed his intention to retire from the format. The BCCI has since been attempting to convince Kohli to reconsider his decision.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that Jasprit Bumrah has shown reluctance to take on the captaincy role, narrowing the pool of potential successors. With Bumrah opting out, the focus has now shifted to Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as the leading contenders for the Test captaincy.

While Gill has long been seen as the natural successor to Rohit, Pant’s name has emerged as a surprise option. Despite being a proven match-winner, Pant’s recent form has raised some concerns. The 26-year-old endured an inconsistent run during the Australia series, with his reckless shot selection drawing criticism from fans and former cricketers alike.