3 Indian Players Who Can Replace Rohit Sharma As India’s Test Captain

With an Instagram story, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. This will lead the selectors to name a new captain of the side immediately after IPL 2025, with the national side’s five-match Test series awaiting in England from June 20 at Headingley.

The Nagpur-born stepped down from the playing eleven for the fifth and final red-ball clash of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Rohit Sharma announces retirement from Test cricket

The Mumbai batter, Rohit Sharma, has retired with 4301 runs in 67 games at an average of 40.57, thanks to 12 centuries and 18 half-centuries over the years, with the best score of 212 runs against South Africa in Ranchi in October 2019.

“Hello everyone, I would just like to share that I am retiring from Test cricket. It's been an absolute honour to represent my country in whites. Thank you for all the love and support over the years. I will continue to represent India in the ODI format.” The veteran expressed in a social media post on Wednesday evening.

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It was a tough few months for the veteran in the last two series. He crossed 50 once during the series against New Zealand and Australia, averaging 10.93 in eight fixtures with the national side, losing both the series and getting eliminated from the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final.

A few names have come up to replace Rohit Sharma as the new Test leader of the Indian side.

Here is a list of 3 Indian players who can replace Rohit Sharma as their future Test captain.

1. Shubman Gill

The recent reports have claimed that the young opening batter, Shubman Gill, is likely to be the new Indian red-ball captain. In 59 red-ball innings, the right-handed batter has accumulated 1893 runs at an average of 35.05 and a strike rate of 59.92, thanks to five centuries and seven fifties at the best score of 128 runs.

Gill has led the Indian side in the past in the shortest format during the Zimbabwe trip. He has done a very good job for the Gujarat Titans, who are likely to qualify for the playoffs of the tournament. At the age of just 25, the Punjab-born can prove to be a valuable asset in the leadership department to replace Rohit Sharma.

2. KL Rahul

With Gill, there is an issue. He has yet to crack the Test code, especially outside India, which will make it tough for him to get a chance in the playing eleven. KL Rahul, who led India in Tests previously, will be a good option, having smacked 3257 runs in 101 innings at an average of 33.57 and a strike rate of 52, thanks to 17 fifties and eight centuries.

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Rahul is an experienced player and understands the side. With the World Test Championship 2025-27 coming for just two years, he can be a good option to replace Rohit Sharma, and Gill can learn under his wings in this format.

3. Jasprit Bumrah

There is no doubt about Jasprit Bumrah’s caliber in the bowling department. The pacer has picked up 205 wickets in 86 innings at a Test average of below 20, with 13 five-wicket hauls.

He has led the side twice in the longest format, recently winning the opening Test of the BGT 2024-25 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Bumrah has displayed leadership capabilities, but his fitness will be a concern for the selectors to replace Rohit Sharma as the new Test captain.