In a strategic decision ahead of the highly anticipated Test series against England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has chosen not to assign any leadership responsibility to star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Despite being the current vice-captain of the Indian Test team, Bumrah is expected to skip several matches during the tour due to workload management, prompting selectors to look toward a younger player for the vice-captain's role.
Sources close to the BCCI confirmed that the national selectors want a consistent presence in the leadership core for all five Test matches starting June 20. With Bumrah’s availability in doubt across the entire England tour, the board aims to ensure stability in leadership by appointing someone likely to play all matches.
Selection committee targets young face for vice-captaincy
“The idea is simple — we want a vice-captain who is certain to play all five Tests,” a top BCCI official told the media. “Bumrah, given his injury record and workload management, may not be available for every match. Having a consistent leadership figure is critical, especially in a demanding five-match series.”
As per insider reports, selectors have shortlisted two strong contenders for the vice-captaincy — Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. Gill, 25, has emerged as a dependable top-order batsman in all formats, while Pant, 27, has recently made a successful return after injury and remains a dynamic force behind the stumps.
Bumrah’s injury history raises caution
Jasprit Bumrah, often hailed as India’s pace spearhead, has battled multiple injury setbacks over the past few years. His back injury sustained during the New Year Test in Sydney earlier this year ruled him out for three months, forcing him to miss the Champions Trophy and the first leg of IPL 2025.
Bumrah had previously missed nearly a year of international cricket in 2022-2023 due to a stress fracture in the back that required surgery. The BCCI remains cautious about his fitness, especially considering the grueling nature of a five-Test series in English conditions.
Former coach Ravi Shastri supports workload management
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, under whose tenure Bumrah rose to prominence, has advised the team management to prioritize the pacer's long-term health. Speaking to the ICC Review, Shastri suggested that Bumrah should be used strategically throughout the tour.
“I would be very, very careful with Bumrah,” Shastri said. “Let him play two Tests at a time, assess how his body responds, and don’t hesitate to give him breaks. He’s too valuable to risk with continuous play.”
India’s England Test series schedule
The India vs England five-match Test series is set to begin on June 20, 2025, with the final Test scheduled for July 31, 2025. The tour is part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle and carries significant weight in the standings.
The full schedule will see India playing across venues like Lord’s, The Oval, Old Trafford, Edgbaston, and Headingley, marking one of the most awaited away tours of the year.
What this means for India's future leadership
By looking beyond Bumrah for the vice-captaincy, the selectors are not just managing fitness concerns — they’re also laying the groundwork for the future of Indian cricket leadership. Both Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are seen as potential future captains, and this England tour could be a defining moment in their careers.
This decision also signals a possible shift in India's strategy, moving towards building a young leadership core while keeping veterans like Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and K L Rahul in mentoring roles.
Conclusion
Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from a leadership role in the England Test tour highlights the BCCI's dual focus on workload management and grooming the next generation of leaders. As the countdown begins for the England series, all eyes will be on the selectors' final squad announcement and the appointment of the new vice-captain — a move that could shape the trajectory of Indian cricket’s future leadership.