A major question surrounding India's upcoming tour of England is the identity of the new Test captain. The answer will be revealed on Saturday when the BCCI announces the Indian team for the tour.
Sports News: Preparations for India's England Test series in 2025 have suffered a significant setback. While everyone's eyes are on the Indian team announcement on May 24th, disappointing news has emerged regarding two veteran fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Sources indicate that Mohammed Shami is not fully fit and may miss the entire five-match Test series.
Meanwhile, there are also concerns about Jasprit Bumrah's availability for all Test matches. This not only weakens India's pace bowling attack but also creates a leadership crisis.
Will Bumrah Captain the Team in England?
Recently, there was speculation that Jasprit Bumrah might be given the Test captaincy in Rohit Sharma's absence. However, this possibility now seems less likely. A report suggests Bumrah has informed the BCCI that his body cannot withstand more than three consecutive Test matches. It will be interesting to see if the selectors risk appointing him captain under these circumstances.
Shubman Gill's name is now rapidly emerging as a b contender for the captaincy. Besides being a young player, he has consistently performed well for Team India across all formats in recent months and has shown leadership qualities.
Mohammed Shami's Fitness is the Biggest Concern
Mohammed Shami has been battling injuries for quite some time. He last played a Test match against Australia in June 2023. Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation and returned during IPL 2025. However, his IPL performance was average. He took only 6 wickets in 9 matches this season with an economy rate of 11.23.
The BCCI's medical team has informed the board that Shami is not capable of bowling long spells. Especially on English pitches, where fast bowlers are required to bowl extended overs, Shami's limited fitness could be a major concern for the team. A board official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that while Shami might bowl full spells in the nets, it remains unclear whether he can bowl 10-12 overs in a single day during a match. Therefore, the selectors are unwilling to take any risks.
The Crucial Role of Fast Bowlers on English Pitches
Fast bowlers play a crucial role in English conditions. The swing and seam-friendly environment has always been advantageous for Indian fast bowlers, but the absence of experienced bowlers like Shami and Bumrah could significantly increase the challenge. India is scheduled to play five Test matches in England starting June 20th. This series is extremely important from the perspective of the World Test Championship (WTC). Team India needs to strengthen its position in the points table, making every match and every player's role crucial.
