A source in the Cricket Board of India (BCCI) said, “If Bumrah is not a captain, he has no meaning to offer vice-captains.” While the cricket world is surprised by Virat Kohli’s desire to retire from Test cricket, it is learned that the selection committee has considered the idea of handing over the captaincy in England to get some more time to improve himself. Kohli has not yet made any official announcement and is believed to be asked to play in the upcoming five -Test series in England as his experience will be needed in challenging circumstances, especially when Rohit Sharma has also announced retirement from Test cricket.
BCCI silence on Virat Kohli’s retirement
However, the BCCI has silenced Kohli’s conversation with him about the Test career. The selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar and BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia contacted but they have not yet answered the question. A BCCI source said, ‘It is true that the selectors thought of making Kohli the Indian captain for the England series. This would have given Gill some time to mold in the role of captaincy. Due to Bumrah’s fitness problems, Ajit Agararkar’s committee looks like Gill.
KL Rahul is not considered as an alternative because he is already over 33 years old and continuity has been an issue for this Bangalore player, even though he was one of the better performing players in Australia. His average of less than 35 matches is not impressive in 50 matches after his 11 -year Test career. The Indian team for the England tour will be announced at the end of the third week of May, while the India A team will be announced early next week. If one of the new players for the Test tour is certain, then he will be the left -handed Sai Sudarshan of Tamil Nadu who has impressed with his performance. If everything goes well, he will either start the innings or come to bat at number three.