The Indian Test team finds itself stranded at a critical juncture with two of its modern-day stalwarts set to bid goodbye to the oldest format. Rohit Sharma had recently confirmed his retirement from Test cricket, formally closing the chapter to a career where he flew from an elegant opener to an able leader. With his departure, a chapter closed, and thus the impact deepened as rumors surfaced that <a href="https://www.kreedon.com/virat-kohli-considers-test-retirement-bcci-urges-reconsideration">Virat Kohli</a> too wanted out of Test cricket. It is said that Kohli informed the BCCI much earlier in the year regarding his decision, but they are now trying to convince him to extend his stay.
This double whammy has now put the Indian selection committee in a tight spot, with the five-Test home series against England looming large. This transition, which was to take place slowly, suddenly accelerated as drivers scrambled for leadership. Whilst the potential Kohli retirement hangs over the team will only add greater weight to a leadership vacuum as the team stands at the end of an era.
<h2 data-start="1221" data-end="1268">BCCI Eyes Shubman Gill or Rishabh Pant to Lead</h2>
<figure id="attachment_151310" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-151310" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-151310" src="http://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24-300x200.jpg" alt="BCCI" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24-696x464.jpg 696w, https://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24-1068x712.jpg 1068w, https://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24-630x420.jpg 630w, https://www.kreedon.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ehrqqe5_1_625x300_21_September_24.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-151310" class="wp-caption-text">Image: NDTV</figcaption></figure>
BCCI is now searching for the next captaincy, with Rohit stepping aside and Kohli&#8217;s future uncertain. Workload management issues deemed Bumrah, initially the top contender, a non-starter, as he cannot commit to playing all five matches in a long Test series.
This has restricted the choices of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. While many have seen Gill as a future captain for years, Pant&#8217;s nomination surprised people. Despite his recent failures, especially in the Australia series, where nearly everyone criticized his shot selection, Pant&#8217;s reputation as a match-winner in challenging overseas conditions makes him a contender.
The selectors are to meet next week to lock in the name of the new captain. The matter stands complicated by Kohli, probably walking away. Reports indicate that the 36-year-old met chief selector <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajit_Agarkar">Ajit Agarkar</a> in April, expressing his desire to quit red-ball cricket before the next <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%932025_ICC_World_Test_Championship">World Test Championship</a> cycle begins in June.
Another meeting with the BCCI officials is yet to take place because of the present geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.
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BCCI Shortlists Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill for Test Leadership