Rohit Sharma Test Retirement: Who will become India’s New Test Captain?

Sad day for Indian Cricket as ace captain and batter Rohit Sharma took retirement from Test Cricket he will continue to lead India in ODI format which in hindsight would mean he will play till 2027 World Cup before saying Adieu to International Cricket.

With 2027 ODI world Cup in mind, it seems Rohit is eyeing for 2027 ODI World Cup title as the ace leader have already won T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy 2025 and his eyes will be set to take revenge of 2023 ODI world cup where they lost final against Australia in final where India had best chances to win title for sure.

If you closely look at his track record India have played 24 matches under his leadership especially in last 3 ICC events which include- ODI World Cup 2023, T20 World Cup 2024 and 2025 Champions Trophy 2025 where they have lost only 1 game which in itself talk about Kind of force they have become under his steward leadership.

Rohit’s record in Test Cricket is not Up to the mark, he wasn’t picked in that format on consistent basis considering his strong resume, the ace player have managed to score more than 4,000 runs in Test Cricket where he scored 12 centuries and 18 half centuries under his belt.

He could have lead India further in Test Cricket, but don’t know what happened him to take decision, reports suggest that considering his age selectors are looking to look beyond him as the next WTC cycle final to be held in 2027 and considering England tour, with his current red ball form, it seems that he took decisions considering all those points in the middle.

Here in this article we will reveal possible Captaincy Contenders who could lead India in Test Format going forward to be shared in the below format:

 

Considering all permutations and combinations, there are 4 names who could possibly lead India going forward in Test Cricket to be shared in the below format:

 

1. Jasprit Bumrah: He certainly is an obvious choice to become India’s next red ball captain considering his current post where he is serving as vice captain of team.

He has been vital cog in Indian setup also he led India in absence of Rohit in last Border Gavaskar Trophy which India won.

Bumrah would be ideal leader going forward also BCCI would be trying emulate the same pattern, Australian Cricket Board is operating at the moment where Pat Cummins(Being Fast Bowler) is their leader and under his brilliant guidance they will be playing World Test Championship final very soon that will be played between Australia and South Africa.

Bumrah’s only problem is his bowling action where on most tentative occasion, he is bound to face severe injuries so that could be possible reason why leadership might not be given to him.

Considering experience as another factor he might be the first choice to lead India in Test Cricket.

 

2. Shreyas Iyer:

Iyer redemption have been perfect story in itself, he overcome his short pitch delivery issue and once he was part of India’s Test Cricket setup where he used to bat at number 5th position complimenting middle order batters pretty well.

Iyer batting in recently concluded Champions Trophy 2025, have been brilliant and his confidence has been displayed in the marquee event where he played vital innings in all matches India played.

He was second highest run getter of the tournament, and the way he smashed bowlers all over the park deserve severe glory.

If you look at his performance as leader, he successfully guided KKR for winning IPL title and the way his team is playing at the moment, they look rock solid to win another IPL trophy for Punjab Kings.

He might become next red ball captain for India.

3. Shubhman Gill: 

This lad is future of Indian Cricket, all eyes are set on him going forward and the way he is projected by BCCI(The Board of Control for Cricket in India) , is projecting him next brand of Indian Cricket and many experts believe he is the right contender to carry Virat Kohli’s legacy in Indian Cricket.

The way transition happened, From Gavaskar to Tendulkar, Tendulkar to Kohli and now Kohli to Gill will be beauty in itself.

He might soon become Vice Captain under Bumrah’s leadership where he will be mentored for sure and considering the way he is leading Gujarat Titans at the moment where his bond with Ashish Nehra is widely appreciated it seems that Gill might be next captain for red ball format not now but in immediate future.

Gill will be certainly big thing in Indian Cricket and he might be next India’s Poster boy for sure.

 

4. Rishabh Pant: 

You can argue about his form in T20I format, where recently he was struggling in IPL with his bad patch.

The swashbuckling wicketkeeper batter has been vital cog for India’s red ball format where he delivered for India on most occasions in crunch phase of the game.

The ace wicketkeeper batter have been brilliant for India in longest format of the game.

Due to his swansong wicketkeeping skills, he has better view about ball is behaving on the wicket and ideally pass on his suggestions to bowlers and fielders all over the park.

Pant has been brilliant batter, where his batting skills has been widely appreciated the best thing about him he doesn’t change his style or gear he plays with the same intent in Test Cricket it seems there is same brand of cricket which he exhibited in the shortest format of the game.

 

Overall, if you look Bumrah looks the strongest contender to become India’s Test Captain and Gill would be most probably become vice captain.

Also people are expecting Virat Kohli to don India’s Test leadership cap but considering his age and he is certainly at the penultimate end of his career, he might not handle captaincy duties.

In the history of Indian Cricket, Virat Kohli is certainly touted as one of the biggest leader in Test cricket with winning percentage of  58.82 where India successfully gave hard time to teams in overseas conditions as they won Border- Gavaskar Trophy once under his leadership and they came on the verge of winning Test series against England after 2012.

Virat Kohli brought fighting spirit and attacking instinct in Indian Team so his services as leader in Test Cricket will be remembered always.

Considering all permutations and combinations he might not be taking leadership duties going forward for sure.

Bumrah is looking all set to become India’s red ball captain, it will be ideally a thing to watch out for as India never had a fast bowler being their leader in longest format of the game so it would be great sight to watch out for going forward.