India selectors undecided over captaincy after Gill, Pant talks

1 month ago 4

India selectors held informal talks with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant but remains undecided over who will succeed Rohit Sharma as Test captain, Sky Sports News understands.

Sharma retired from Test cricket earlier in May, leaving the captaincy role vacant ahead of this summer's series in England, which begins on June 20.

India are expected to announce their next captain and Test squad for the England series this week.

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Sky Sports News previously reported Gill and Pant are the top two candidates for the role, with Jasprit Bumrah opting out as he would struggle to play a full five-Test series.

Both Gill and Pant have been sounded out, with selectors divided.

One selector at the BCCI has reservations over giving Gill the captaincy, given that his place in the side is not guaranteed and suggested he would be better suited to the vice-captaincy role.

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A source in Indian cricket has told Sky Sports News that Sharma originally wanted to play the England series and retire mid-series, similar to MS Dhoni's Test retirement during a series against Australia in 2014.

However, selectors wanted consistency during the series and offered Sharma the opportunity to go to the series but not as captain. He decided to retire instead.

Virat Kohli will also be missing from the England series after announcing his retirement from Tests, soon after Sharma stepped away from red ball cricket.

Sky Sports News has contacted the BCCI for comment.