Jasprit Bumrah is the right person to replace Rohit Sharma as India's Test captain: Madan Lal

Madan Lal and Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Former fast bowler Madan Lal opined that should succeed Rohit Sharma as India's new Test captain. The latter announced his retirement from the red-ball format earlier this week and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee will name his successor in the coming days.

According to various reports, Shubman Gill is the frontrunner to lead India in the longest format of the game. However, Lal feels that Bumrah is the right person to take charge if he is fit and available. The Gujarat seamer has served as Rohit's deputy in recent years. He has taken 15 wickets from three Tests as a captain. Bumrah also impressed fans as well as experts with his leadership acumen during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

"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, a member of India's ODI World Cup-winning side in 1983, was quoted as saying by India Today.

Madan Lal supports Rohit's decision to retire from Tests

Lal supported 38-year-old Rohit's decision to step away from the five-day format. The cricketer-turned-expert said that someone as experienced as the Nagpur-born must have thought carefully before taking a call on his retirement.

“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,” Lal said.

India's next captain will have a tough assignment to start his tenure. The Asian giants are set to tour England next month to play a five-match Test series, which will mark the start of their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle.