R Ashwin endorses Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah for Test captaincy; questions 'why not make Shubman Gill...?'

Ravichandran Ashwin endorses Ravindra Jadeja for Test captaincy (BCCI Photo)

Although Shubman Gill is the likely candidate to take Rohit Sharma's place as India's next Test captain, Ravichandran Ashwin believes that more seasoned candidates like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja should also be considered. The final week of May may see the selection of India's team for their five-Test series against England, which starts from June 20. The selection process is dominated by discussions over a potential new captain.

"First of all, everyone is saying that Gill is the captain. Everyone is going in that direction. But there is a loud option in Jasprit Bumrah, and why do we forget about Ravindra Jadeja," Ashwin said during a chat with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan on his YouTube channel. "If you are willing to go for a new person as captain, I would say why not make him [Gill] an understudy of an experienced guy for two years before handing him the job on a full-time basis."

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Jadeja is the most seasoned player in the Indian team, having amassed 3370 runs and 323 wickets in 80 Test matches since Virat Kohli and Rohit retired from the format. However, he has no prior experience as a Test cricket captain, and Bumrah has only captained India in three Test matches, most notably the opening and final Tests in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"I would say, why not get all three to four candidates and make them do a presentation and ask them each to detail the vision for the team," Ashwin said. "It happens in countries like Australia. Why won't we go down that road?"

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Ashwin stated that Bumrah should also be given significant consideration and that his recent back issue shouldn't be a barrier. Ashwin retired from all forms of cricket following the third BGT Test late last year. "Look at Pat Cummins, he also had a back stress fracture, but he is now captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs," said Ashwin.

"Like that, Bumrah is our national treasure and he should be in the discussion. He should be asked, will you be able to play five Tests? Can you be a full-time captain? I know he had a stress fracture but I am sure he will think about it. I think the hat with his name should be number one in that ring."