India vs Bangladesh: Why has Jasprit Bumrah not been named hosts' vice-captain for first Test?

When the Team India squad for the first Test against Bangladesh was announced on Sunday, one of the most notable changes was the absence of a vice-captain. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah had been considered as one of the most influential leaders of the team, apart from Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant.

While it may not have been certain that Kohli would have taken up a leadership role once again, both Rahul and Pant have been considered as possible future Test captains.

Also read | 5 things we learnt from India’s squad for first Bangladesh Test and first round of Duleep Trophy

However, what would have raised eyebrows is the fact that Bumrah will continue to play as just the lead pacer, rather than doubling up as skipper Rohit Sharma’s deputy for the first Test.

That brings us to the question, why has Jasprit Bumrah been overlooked as a vice-captain of the side?

Before we get into the answer to this question, it’s also important to note that India currently do not have a vice-captain for the first Test against Bangladesh, that starts in Chennai on 19 September. Now, coming to why Bumrah wasn’t named vice-captain.

The likeliest reason for this could be that the BCCI and the Indian team management do not envisage that Bumrah can be a captain of the national team in the future. Afterall, his workload has been talked about quite frequently and that’s also an understandable aspect. His history of injuries also do not help his case.

Bumrah did captain India in the rescheduled fifth Test against England in 2022, which India lost by seven wickets. He led India once again a year later, this time in a three-match T20 series against Ireland in Dublin. The Gujarat speedster’s tactical decisions in that series were quite impressive.

Now that Gautam Gambhir is the Team India head coach, India have slightly shifted their approach towards vice-captaincy. Suryakumar Yadav replaced Hardik Pandya as India T20I skipper, and Shubman Gill has taken over as India vice-captain in both limited-overs formats. It remains to be seen if the opener will take over the responsibility in Tests as well.

India’s pace attack for first Test

India have named four pacers in the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh. Regulars Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will lead the attack, which also features Akash Deep. Yash Dayal, who received a maiden India call-up, was the surprise pick in the squad. Dayal recently took four wickets for India B in their Duleep Trophy opener against India A.

Akash Deep has thus far played just one Test, against England in February this year. He took three wickets in that game, with all three wickets coming in the first innings of England.

India however, will miss the services of Mohammed Shami, who has been recovering from an ankle injury that has kept him out of competitive cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final on 19 November.

The absence of Shami means India are going with two experienced pacers and two pacers who are new to the Indian Test setup.