Gautam Gambhir Press Conference: Suspense over Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah should have been made full captain for Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024

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The veil of secrecy coach Gautam Gambir adopted at the mandatory BCCI press conference in Mumbai on Monday before the full team's departure for Australia was nice. GG did well to keep the media and fans guessing on skipper Rohit Sharma's availability.

There was intense speculation on Sunday night that Rohit could miss the first Test, or, even two. Nothing was made clear today. Yes, Gambhir did say that if Rohit is not available, finally, for the Perth Test, starting November 22, then Jasprit Bumrah will lead.

Captaincy is not a part-time job. If there is a doubt over the first part of the tour over Rohit, it would have made sense to hand over full captaincy to Jasprit Bumrah. It is well-known that Rohit's focus is the family, and he needs to be respected for it. Paternity leave is something personal and no office denies leave these days, the BCCI included.

Does not a workplace nominate someone else when an employee goes on leave? The same logic should have been applied to the Indian Test team as well, make Bumrah captain for the BGT series Down Under. It is going to be a challenging series, as Gambhir said, and conditions will be different. All the more reason, Bumrah should have been entrusted leadership for the entire series. He is going to be in charge of the team's practice sessions in the run-up to the first Test.

Captaincy demands 100 per cent commitment. It is not easy to switch off and switch on. Bumrah is a shrewd cricketer, someone who has led before in a Test in England. He has been described by none other than Rohit as part of the think tank. If that be the case, it would have made more sense for Bumrah to lead in the Australia tour. At least the speedster would have a better grip on the team. There is no need for captaincy being exchanged like a baton in relays.

Test cricket captaincy has been perceived as the preserve of a batter or wicket-keeper. India had in Kapil Dev one of the finest cricketers who led in 34 Tests between 1983 to 1987. Kapil would bat, bowl and field like with agility like a panther. He was the true all-rounder who led India in Test cricket and was noted for his amazing fitness. That he would bowl long spells and come back to bat as well, Kapil Dev showed a large heart.

It does not matter if India lose the series Down Under, that is the prediction. At least, give Bumrah a fair chance to lead in all Tests. Unless there is a fear, he will also break down midway through the series. Knowing how hard Bumrah trains and is committed to cricket, he deserves full captaincy, with Rohit in doubt.

He has been there in all formats for a long time. And, for those who love to fantasise about contests, Bumrah versus Pat Cummins would have been engaging. No, the BCCI planning is weird. Hang on till the last minute, as if Rohit has a magic wand. There is no guarantee when Rohit will fly to Australia.

Whether he will be in the best frame of mind, is doubtful. He could have been allowed to spend time with the family and play as a pure batter, when he eventually flies out. Right now, Rohit is struggling to score runs.