“Everyone is saying that Gill is the captain, but there is a loud option in Bumrah, and why do we forget about Jadeja,” the offspinner said  

 Ashwin believes that while Shubman Gill is widely considered the frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain, experienced players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja should also be strong contenders for the role.

With the selection of India’s squad for the five-Test series against England approaching, the discussion around the next Test captain is intensifying. Ashwin, speaking on a YouTube chat, questioned why Bumrah and Jadeja were being overlooked amidst the widespread speculation about Gill’s potential appointment.

Ashwin suggested a more structured approach to selecting the captain, proposing that potential candidates, including Gill, Bumrah, and Jadeja, should present their vision for the team. He drew a comparison with Australia’s selection processes.

Highlighting Jadeja’s experience as the most capped player in the current Test side after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Ashwin acknowledged his lack of Test captaincy experience. He also noted Bumrah’s limited captaincy experience, having led India in three Tests previously.

Ashwin strongly advocated for Bumrah’s consideration, stating that his past back injury should not disqualify him. He drew parallels with Pat Cummins’ successful captaincy of Australia despite a history of back stress fractures. Ashwin emphasized Bumrah’s value as a “national treasure” and insisted that his name should be a leading consideration for the captaincy. He suggested inquiring about Bumrah’s willingness and ability to play all five Tests and take on the full-time captaincy.

Ashwin also proposed a mentorship approach for Gill, suggesting he could serve as an understudy to an experienced captain for a couple of years before fully taking over the leadership.