Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has weighed in on India’s Test captaincy dilemma following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format a fortnight ago. Rohit Sharma left behind a significant leadership void. While Jasprit Bumrah’s name has been suggested as a potential successor, Shastri believes the role should be entrusted to a younger player rather than burdening the seasoned pacer. Bumrah, who served as India’s vice-captain in the Border-Gavaskar series, also led India in Rohit's absence.
"I think he (Bumrah) has to take his body one game at a time. He's coming back now after a serious injury," Shastri said on the ICC Review.
"He'll have played IPL cricket, which is four-over cricket. Now will come the test of bowling 10 overs, 15 overs. And the last thing you want is some pressure on his mind being captain as well.”
Shastri advocated for the ascension of young stars like Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill.
“You groom somebody and I would say Shubman’s looked very good. Give him the opportunity. He's 25, 26 years of age, even give him time,” he said.
"There's Rishabh as well. I think these two are the obvious ones I'm looking at because of their age and they have a decade ahead of them. So, let them learn.
“They've got experience as captains now, captaining their franchise and that makes a difference," Shastri said.