Gambhir Urges Against Shielding Gill as Test Captain: ‘Let Him Open, Not Replace Kohli at No. 4’

Navjot Singh Sidhu insists that if Shubman Gill is appointed Test captain, he must continue to open the batting.

Sidhu Endorses Bumrah for Test Captaincy Despite Injury Concerns

Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu has thrown his weight behind Jasprit Bumrah as the ideal candidate to lead India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England. With Rohit Sharma retiring from the longest format, the selectors face a critical decision on naming his successor. While Shubman Gill is reportedly the front-runner for the role, Sidhu believes Bumrah has all the attributes of a strong, inspirational leader.

Bumrah previously captained India during the 2022 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Rohit’s absence, but concerns around his workload have made the selectors cautious. Reports suggest Bumrah has told the BCCI that his body may not handle more than three Tests on long tours, raising questions about his long-term viability as a full-time captain.

However, Sidhu emphasized that Bumrah’s passion, overseas performance, and the respect he commands in the dressing room make him a natural leader. “You need someone who leads from the front, instils belief, and has acceptance. That’s Bumrah,” Sidhu stated on his YouTube channel.

With Ajit Agarkar set to announce the squad on Saturday, the BCCI faces a tough call balancing leadership and workload, but Sidhu remains firm in his support for Bumrah as India’s next Test captain.

‘Don’t put the protective shield on Gill’

Navjot Singh Sidhu believes that if Shubman Gill is appointed India’s next Test captain, he must open the batting or be slotted at No. 3—not at Virat Kohli’s vacated No. 4 position. Kohli recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, leaving a key gap in the middle order. Sidhu urged head coach Gautam Gambhir to preserve Gill’s natural role as an opener and avoid using him as a stop-gap replacement.

“If Gill is your captain, then make it clear—he opens or plays at No. 3. Don’t put a protective shield around him. That sends the wrong signal,” Sidhu stated on his YouTube channel.

Instead, Sidhu proposed that KL Rahul should bat at No. 4, emphasizing his suitability for the role. He also pushed for Shreyas Iyer’s return to the Test side and suggested alternatives like Sarfaraz Khan or Karun Nair for the middle order.

“My goal is to have KL Rahul at No. 4. If not Iyer, bring Karun Nair. Don’t bench players like Sarfaraz who’ve already toured. Make bold calls, but be clear in your investment,” Sidhu concluded, calling for clarity and consistency in the Test team’s selection approach.

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