Rohit Sharma unlikely to play Test cricket after Champions Trophy, BCCI can appoint this star as new red-ball captain

Posted by author February 15, 2025 Cricket

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The fact that Jasprit Bumrah is being considered as India’s future Test captain was one of the main reasons the board did not want to take a chance on him for the Champions Trophy 2025. BCCI chairman of selection Ajit Agarkar was faced with a tough decision after the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team, led by Nitin Patel kept the ball in his court regarding Bumrah’s Champions Trophy participation. The NCA stated in its report that Bumrah’s most recent scan reports were flawless, although the top-ranked pacer had not yet begun bowling at full capacity.

The team administration and selectors did not want to take a chance because the Champions Trophy was only a week away. Because of his leadership potential as well as his skill as a fast bowler—there is no question that he is currently the finest bowler in all formats—Bumrah needed to be protected. Bumrah has essentially been confirmed by the BCCI as India’s next Test skipper.

Rohit Sharma unlikely to be part of Test team?

According to a report from, PTI Bumrah, the designated Test vice-captain, will assume leadership of the team after the England tour in June and July of this year, and current India captain Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be chosen for Test matches any more.

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“It is understood that the main bone of contention was that Bumrah is yet to start bowling full tilt and those in the know of things said that it is very difficult to get match-fit in such a short time. Rather, he can come back for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and then lead India in England as Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be picked for Tests again,” Hindustan Times quoted the report as stating.

So far, Bumrah has captained India in three Test matches; Rohit was unavailable on both occasions. When Bumrah had to come up in the fifth and final Test match against England in Birmingham in 2022, the opener was fighting Covid. Despite India’s defeat in that Test, Bumrah demonstrated his leadership abilities. When Rohit came in Australia late last year to give birth to his second kid, he was given his next chance.

In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opening match in Perth, Bumrah bowled India to win with his astonishing bowling performance. By the way, in an otherwise poor series, that was the only Indian Test match that India won. When Rohit made the unprecedented decision to leave himself out of the playing XI for the final Test match in Sydney, Bumrah once more assumed the role of captain. Unfortunately, Bumrah sustained an injury after only bowling 10 overs during the match, and India lost, losing the series 1-3.

Rohit Sharma’s lean patch in Tests

In 2024, Rohit Sharma had his worst season in Test cricket, averaging under 25 and recording more single-figure scores than ever before. Rohit is form, especially in Test cricket, has slumped since the glory of winning the T20 World Cup. In his last eight Test matches, the seasoned right-hander has only amassed 164 runs at an average of 10.9 runs. In addition, India lost all six Test matches under Rohit is tenure as captain from late 2024 to early 2025, including three Test losses in Australia with Rohit scoring 2, 52, 0, 8, 18, 11, 3, 6, 10, 3, and a first-ever whitewash at home against New Zealand.

Despite Rohit saying that he had no intention of retiring from any format, it appears that the board had already discussed the future with him. In April, Rohit will turn 38; he will be 40 by the time the World Test Championship final occurs. The selection committee sought to consider a permanent alternative because of his declining form.