New Delhi: Legendary India batter Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday, May 12, drawing curtains on a remarkable 14-year-long red-ball career for India. One of the best batters of the modern era, Kohli finished his career as the fourth-highest run-getter for India in Tests and the batter with the most double centuries for the country in the longest format.
Kohli became the second high-profile name to quit Tests after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the longest format last week. Both batting stalwarts decided to hang up their boots in the whites for India ahead of the all-important five-match Test series against England, which is set to get underway next month.
Rohit and Kohli’s retirements mark the end of an era in Indian cricket as the team prepares for a full-fledged transition ahead of the start of the new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, which will begin with the England series. The senior duo’s retirement also marks a significant shift in power dynamics as head coach Gautam Gambhir’s role becomes vital in ensuring a smooth transition.
India will have to deal with some stern challenges in the upcoming tour of England as they will not only have to fill the leadership vacuum left by Rohit but also ensure they find ideal replacements for both stalwarts in their batting line-up. While Shubman Gill is reportedly the frontrunner to take over as India’s new Test captain, India also have some other contenders in their ranks.
3 players who can become India’s new Test captain:
Shubman Gill
Star batter Shubman Gill is arguably the favourite to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s new Test captain. Gill reportedly has the backing of the selectors, head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management for the leadership role. The 25-year-old is India’s designated vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, but is yet to lead the team in any format.
Gill has been leading the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2024 and has done well as captain in the ongoing IPL 2025. Gill has been tipped by many to become a future superstar of Indian cricket and is seen as someone who has the potential to lead the Indian team across formats in the years to come.
Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant has been one of the regulars for India in Test over the last few years and is a vital cog in the batting line-up in the longest format. The swashbuckling left-hander is naturally one of the strongest contenders for captaincy, considering he has been one of India’s best performers in Tests ever since his debut in 2018.
Pant has an impressive 2948 runs in 43 Tests for India at an average of over 42, including six centuries and 15 fifties. The wicket-keeper batter has played some match-winning knocks for India overseas, including an unbeaten 89 in the Gabba Test against Australia to help India win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 in 2021. Pant has led Delhi Capitals in the IPL and is currently the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants in the league.
Jasprit Bumrah
After the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah is one of the senior-most members in the current Indian Test squad. One of the best fast bowlers in the world at present, Bumrah has significant experience behind his back and has been a match-winner for India across all formats. The pacer has also led India in Tests in the past.
Bumrah has so far led India in 3 Test matches and has a solitary win under his belt. He made his captaincy debut in the Birmingham Test against England in July 2022 and led India in two Test matches against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Bumrah could have been an ideal option for captaincy, if not for his poor injury record. The pacer might not get the leadership role due to workload management.
Virat Kohli followed Rohit Sharma into Test retirement on Monday, bringing an end to an era in Indian cricket. After the senior duo’s departure, here is a look at three candidates who can captain India in Tests. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
