Former cricketer Madan Lal has said that India speedster Jasprit Bumrah should replace Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Indian men’s Test team as well. However, Bumrah led India before in the rescheduled fifth Test against England in Birmingham in 2022, and again during two matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25 as well.

“I feel that Jasprit Bumrah is the right person to lead India. Fitness is a different thing, but if he is available and fit, then he is the first choice,” Lal told PTI Videos.

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Jasprit Bumrah has also claimed 15 wickets from three Tests as captain with best figures of 18-6-30-5 in the first innings of the Perth Test as well. Earlier, on May 7, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the longer format, bringing an end to his 11-year-long career in the Test format. Meanwhile, Madan Lal backed Rohit’s decision, saying that Rohit must have given it considerable thought before stepping away.

“Look, when such big players are brought in, there’s no space left in the team. They automatically become the first choice. But form can come at any time. What about form? Fine, their performance hasn’t been great. But whatever decision they made regarding retirement, it’s a personal decision. They must have thought it through, that’s why they took that decision,” Madan Lal concluded.

India will next face England in a five-match Test series, which starts on Friday, June 20 at the Headingley in Leeds as well.