India vs England: Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in fifth Test vs England, Rohit Sharma ruled out

Indian captain Rohit Sharma is set to miss the rescheduled Test match against England, owing to his Covid-19 infection. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in his absence.

According to reports, Rohit has not recovered from the infection. Hence, the decision was taken in a team meeting.

Bumrah will be the first pacer in more than 35 years to lead the team after Kapil Dev.

Captain Rohit Sharma was announced to have been infected with Covid-19 on 25 June, Saturday, just days ahead of the start of the first match. Regular vice-captain KL Rahul did not make the tour due to a groin injury and travelled to Germany for surgery.

Since former all-rounder Kapil Dev stepped down as a captain in 1987, no other pace bowler has led the Indian team in a Test match. With Rohit down with Covid-19 and KL out of contention, Bumrah will create history, occupying the leadership position.

Rohit also missed out on the second innings of the practice match against Leicestershire as he did not bat once tested positive for Covid-19.

Bumrah was named the vice-captain for the ODI series in South Africa in January 2022 as Rohit was out with injury and KL Rahul had to lead the side.

Rohit Sharma will miss the fifth test (against England) and Jasprit Bumrah will lead the Indian side. He has been informed about this in the team meeting: Sources

(File Pic) pic.twitter.com/AvJRstH6Lq

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2022

Speaking at the pre-match show on Sony Network before the start of India’s T20I against Ireland, former opener Virender Sehwag said that India has two options to deal with the ouster of Rohit. “India has two choices. The first is to go with the designated vice-captain. The second option is to request Virat Kohli to lead the side since he was also the captain in the first four matches of the series. However, the rule is to go ahead with the vice-captain. I am not sure if a vice-captain was announced or not.”

Rahul Dravid had earlier mocked at playing with multiple (five to six) captains in his less than a one-year stint as the head coach. With Bumrah to lead the side, it will add a name to that list and probably to the frustration of Rahul Dravid.

“If given an opportunity (to lead India), it would be an honour. I don’t think any player would say no. There’s no bigger feeling than that,” Bumrah had said when he was named vice-captain for the ODI series in South Africa.

It will be worthwhile to see how Bumrah manages the role. England is a transformed team with Brendon McCullum as the coach and Ben Stokes as the captain. It will be a bigger challenge for Bumrah to tackle with the opposition leadership.