As India’s Test tour of Australia nosedived as the series wore on, those watching – and there sure were plenty – would have sensed this was the end of Rohit Sharma’s captaincy reign in the long format.
One of India’s mightiest cricketers, worshipped by a billion people who has been one of only a select few to have lifted a World Cup title for his all-powerful cricket country, looked totally dejected with this blockbuster series slipping away. He was out of answers, with his once imposing batting now a mere shell and a reshuffle of the batting order didn’t help either.
Rohit’s captaincy was also in the gun, outfoxed tactically by opposite number Pat Cummins. He appeared jaded and worn down, understandably so being under cricket’s biggest spotlight in all three formats. With his every move monitored, hounded by a never-ending line of Indian press, the pressure had taken its toll.
The scrutiny is always at 100% in this role and Rohit, like everyone else who has filled these big shoes, had been numerously a punching bag.
By the fifth and final Test, after India had fallen short in an epic Boxing Day Test amid a frenzy over his future, Rohit stepped aside and insisted he made the call to drop himself. He was not dropped, as per reports, and instead had apparently made a selfless decision with his team needing victory to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive.
There would be no send-off in Sydney, the site of so many farewells of legendary cricketers over the years. No walking through a guard of honor, showered by cheers from the terraces. Australian cricket fans might be hard-bitten, but they sure do recognize fighters, particularly those willing to dish it back against their compatriots.
Rohit did not get a Test cricket send-off. His career was done. The writing had long been on the wall, it was not needed in the form of an official press release.
But with India’s blockbuster Test tour of England approaching, news this week leaked on what we already all knew back in January. In typical Indian cricket secrecy, it’s unknown whether Rohit was pushed into retirement by the power brokers or if he’s just merely had enough of Test cricket’s grind.
It’s far from the end of his international career and it’s a wise move with the 38-year-old Rohit set to now focus on leading India to redemption at the 2027 World Cup after their bitter disappointment on home soil 18 months ago, a pummelling in the final against Australia where he looked like he saw a ghost in the aftermath.
The question now is who should succeed him. Reports emerging from India suggest that 25-year-old Shubman Gill is the frontrunner. He has impressed as captain of Gujarat Titans in the ongoing Indian Premier League season and really is the only viable option if they believe the burden on vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is too great.
There is understandable concern on Bumrah, a genius pace bowler approaching GOAT status but who has broken down previously. India’s hierarchy also view Gill as long-term captain and we’ve seen this well-worn template before in cricket. Make the precocious batting talent hitting their prime captain. India followed this script previously with superstars Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, while Australia did it repeatedly from Allan Border through to Steve Smith.
But times are changing. The advent of the WTC means Test teams should consider their teams/captains over two-year blocks. Like a single season in franchise leagues. The WTC was established to create context in Test cricket and it’s succeeded – despite notable flaws – with a title up for grabs at the end of it all.
Despite notable success in Test cricket, India have not won a WTC. They finished runners-up in the first two editions and fell short of the final in this current cycle. India are clearly cricket’s powerhouse off-field and that has translated into the shorter formats, but not quite Test cricket. Until they win a WTC, India are simply underachieving in cricket’s most treasured and traditional format.
The future of Test cricket remains uncertain – and who knows – it might just one day vanish amid a glut of shiny shorter formats. Until then, India will be absolutely determined to end their WTC drought. Their best chance in this upcoming cycle might just be with Bumrah in charge even though there are concerns over whether he will play every Test match moving forward.
Similar concerns had been on Cummins, but he has been durable and flourished since being essentially forced into the Australia captaincy. He has moulded the team in his image and Cummins’ tactical nous in the 2023 World Cup final was a masterpiece.
Bumrah has a chance to do something similar. We already know he has it in him. With Rohit arriving late to the Australia tour, Bumrah filled his shoes superbly to lead India to one of their best ever Test victories after a first Test thrashing in Perth.
Bumrah led from the front with the ball and tactically in the field. But it was much more than that. He fuelled a team that was widely written off and did so through his effervescent personality. It was infectious. As cliché as it sounds, something out of a hackneyed sports film, his teammates seemed to lift for him. They were inspired and played possessed.
Sitting in on India press conferences can often be a bit grim, carefully orchestrated by the team’s hierarchy and little is usually given to their hungry press corps. Any slip of of the tongue can have reverberations back home. But a relaxed Bumrah was incredibly candid when he fronted the cameras before and after the Perth Test.
He grinned from ear to ear and answered every question with depth and clarity. He was a breath of fresh air. A natural leader. It would be a shame if he’s never a full-time captain. At least give him a couple of years.
Gill will have plenty of time to take over after that. Averaging just 35 in Test cricket, with a habit of being too loose at the crease, Gill should probably just concentrate on getting better and go up a level in his career.
Right now, Jasprit Bumrah, the smiling assassin, should take charge of India’s quest for belated Test greatness.
