Gill Not Even a Certainty in Tests, Bumrah Should be Captain: Srikkanth
The debate around India’s next Test captain has been ongoing since Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the format. While many have named Shubman Gill as the likely successor, former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has expressed his reservations about the young batter’s ability to lead the team. In a recent interview, Srikkanth stated that Gill is “not even a certainty” in Test cricket, let alone being considered as the captain.
Srikkanth’s comments have raised eyebrows, especially given the impressive performances Gill has put up in recent times. The 24-year-old has already played 32 Tests for India, scoring over 2,000 runs at an average of 42. The selectors have shown faith in him, and many experts believe he has the potential to become one of the best batsmen in the world.
However, Srikkanth’s concerns seem to be centered around Gill’s ability to handle the pressure of captaincy. In his opinion, Gill is still a work in progress as a batsman and needs more experience before being entrusted with the responsibility of leading the team. Srikkanth believes that Gill’s inexperience would be a major liability in high-pressure situations, where a captain needs to make tough decisions and inspire his teammates to perform.
Srikkanth’s solution to the problem is to appoint Jasprit Bumrah as the next Test captain of India. The pacer has already shown his leadership skills in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has been an integral part of India’s limited-overs setup. Srikkanth believes that Bumrah has the qualities required to lead the team, including his ability to remain calm under pressure and his strong rapport with his teammates.
However, Srikkanth also acknowledged that Bumrah might not be available for every match, due to his injury-prone nature. In such situations, he suggested that KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant could lead India. Both Rahul and Pant have already captained India in T20Is and have shown their leadership skills. Srikkanth believes that either of them would be a suitable replacement for Bumrah, and would be able to inspire the team to victory.
Srikkanth’s comments have sparked a debate in the cricketing fraternity, with many experts weighing in on the issue. Some have argued that Gill is still young and needs to be given more opportunities to develop as a player and a leader, while others have praised Srikkanth’s suggestion of appointing Bumrah as captain.
Gill’s fans have pointed out that he has already shown his ability to handle pressure situations in big games, and that he has the potential to become one of the best batsmen in the world. They argue that he should be given the opportunity to captain the team, and that Srikkanth’s comments are unfair and unhelpful.
On the other hand, Srikkanth’s supporters have argued that he has a point about Gill’s inexperience, and that he needs more time to develop as a player. They believe that appointing a senior player like Bumrah as captain would be a more stable and sensible decision, and that Gill would benefit from learning from a more experienced leader.
Ultimately, the decision of who should be India’s next Test captain is a complex one that requires careful consideration of various factors. While Srikkanth’s opinions may be unpopular among some, it is clear that he has a deep understanding of the game and is passionate about the team’s success. As the debate continues, it will be interesting to see how the selectors and the team’s management respond to Srikkanth’s suggestions and whether they will consider Bumrah as a potential captain.
In conclusion, Srikkanth’s comments have added a new layer of complexity to the debate around India’s next Test captain. While Gill’s fans may be disappointed by Srikkanth’s skepticism, it is clear that the former India cricketer has a point about the young batter’s inexperience. As the team’s management and selectors deliberate on the issue, it will be interesting to see how they balance the need for experience and stability with the need to give young players the opportunity to develop and grow.
