Shubman Gill Tipped for Test Vice-Captaincy as Rohit-Bumrah Duo Faces Uncertainty Ahead of England Tour: Report

As India prepares for the much-anticipated five-Test series against England starting June 20, the Ajit Agarkar-led senior selection panel is expected to finalize the squad in the second week of May.

However, discussions around the leadership group have taken center stage, with sources indicating that a shift from the Rohit Sharma-Jasprit Bumrah combination could be on the cards as per a report by The Times Of India.

Rohit, who captained the side during the recent Test series in Australia, had a disappointing outing - scoring just 31 runs across three matches - and was absent from the final Test at the SCG. Bumrah stepped in as captain in Rohit's absence but has since struggled with injury setbacks that kept him out of action for a considerable period.

This situation has opened the door for fresh leadership faces, with Shubman Gill emerging as a strong candidate to be inducted into the Test leadership group.

The 25-year-old is already India's vice-captain in both ODIs and T20Is, and the selectors are reportedly considering handing him a similar role in the longest format.

"There is a new WTC cycle beginning. Future and continuity has to be kept in mind as far as the team is concerned. Even coach Gautam Gambhir would want a set of players he is likely to work with for an extended period. There can't be any stop-gap solutions for such an important series. The last two Test series haven't been ideal for the team and the England series is very crucial," a source close to developments revealed.

Although Rohit is keen to continue leading the side, the BCCI has not confirmed his position for the England tour. Meanwhile, a senior player reportedly expressed interest in returning to captaincy duties, sensing a void, but the board appears focused on long-term plans rather than revisiting older leadership options.

Gill, despite his growing stature in limited-overs formats, is still finding his footing in Test cricket. He requested the No. 3 slot in the batting order but has not yet delivered consistently.

His overall Test numbers - 1893 runs - are heavily skewed in favor of home performances (1177 runs), with limited impact overseas (649 runs). The England tour, therefore, presents both a leadership and performance test for the stylish right-hander.

However, beyond the cricketing metrics, Gill is being viewed by the board as a key figure in Indian cricket's future - both for his leadership potential and his growing off-field influence.

Brand endorsements and sponsorships continue to flock to him, and his maturity during Gujarat Titans' IPL 2025 campaign, where he has led the side without compromising his batting, has further strengthened his case.

While the official announcement is still a few days away, insiders suggest that Gill's elevation to a leadership role in Tests is imminent - and the England series could be the defining chapter in that journey.