Jasprit Bumrah Named Vice-Captain for India’s Test Series Against New Zealand Amid Rohit Sharma’s Possible Absence

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, which kicks off on October 16 in Bengaluru. Bumrah’s elevation to this leadership role comes amid reports suggesting that India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, might miss the first Test of the Australia series due to personal reasons.

While Rohit continues as captain for the New Zealand series, his potential absence in the Australian tour is causing considerable speculation about India’s leadership lineup. Bumrah, who has previously led the Indian team, is now seen as a key figure in the upcoming challenges against New Zealand and, potentially, in Australia.

Rohit Sharma’s Possible Absence in Australia

The series against New Zealand is not only crucial for its own sake but also serves as a lead-up to the highly anticipated five-Test series against Australia starting on November 22 in Perth. According to sources, Rohit Sharma might skip one of the first two Tests in Australia due to personal reasons. If this happens, Bumrah could step into the captaincy role once again, having led India in a Test before when Rohit missed the England tour in 2022.

Speculation had already been mounting regarding the vice-captaincy, as India did not officially designate a deputy for Rohit during their 2-0 win over Bangladesh earlier this year. Shubman Gill and KL Rahul were considered candidates for leadership, but the decision to name Bumrah as vice-captain signals the team’s reliance on the pacer’s experience and leadership abilities.

A BCCI source commented, “There isn’t complete clarity about Rohit’s situation. However, he has informed the BCCI that there is a chance he may need to skip one of the initial Tests in Australia for personal reasons.”

Bumrah’s Leadership Experience

Though primarily known for his lethal bowling skills, Jasprit Bumrah has stepped into leadership roles in the past. Notably, he captained India in the rescheduled Test against England in 2022 when Rohit was unavailable due to COVID-19. Although India lost that Test and the series was drawn 2-2, Bumrah’s role in leading the side on foreign soil demonstrates his capability as a leader.

With India on top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points table with 74.24 percentage points from 11 Tests, Bumrah’s leadership might be tested if he needs to fill in for Rohit during the Australia tour. Wins in each of the upcoming eight Tests—three against New Zealand and five against Australia—could further bolster India’s position in the WTC, bringing them closer to the final.

India’s Squad for the New Zealand Test Series

India’s 15-man squad for the New Zealand series largely mirrors the team that achieved a clean sweep over Bangladesh in their last series. Key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant remain the core of the team. However, Mohammed Shami, who is recovering from an ankle injury, will miss out on this series as well. Shami last played for India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November 2023.

Another notable absentee is left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, who was part of the squad during the Bangladesh series but has been excluded from the New Zealand lineup. In his place, the BCCI has added four reserves: Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna. All four have shown promise in domestic cricket, with Mayank Yadav recently making his T20I debut for India against Bangladesh.

Key Focus: Bumrah’s Role and Reserves

With Bumrah’s appointment as vice-captain, the Indian management appears to be banking on his tactical acumen and calm demeanor under pressure. Should Rohit miss any matches, Bumrah will likely have to balance his bowling duties with the demands of captaincy, a challenge that could be crucial in India’s performance during the Australia series.

The four traveling reserves—Mayank Yadav, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prasidh Krishna—also play a pivotal role in providing backup, especially in case of injuries. The inclusion of multiple pacers as reserves indicates that India is preparing for different pitch conditions and possible rotations during the series.

The New Zealand series, starting in Bengaluru and followed by matches in Pune and Mumbai, will also be a significant step for players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, who are expected to open the innings. With New Zealand dealing with their own injury woes—star batter Kane Williamson is nursing a groin injury—the series could turn out to be a high-stakes battle for both sides as they eye a spot in the WTC final.

Road to the World Test Championship Final

India’s impressive position at the top of the WTC table puts them in a strong position as they approach these crucial eight Tests—three against New Zealand and five against Australia. The immediate goal will be to secure wins against New Zealand to strengthen their standing and enter the Australia series with momentum. While achieving victory in all eight upcoming Tests would propel India to 85.09 percentage points, the team will likely focus on securing enough points to ensure their place in the WTC final.

In terms of strategy, India will be leaning heavily on its bowlers. With Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the pace attack and spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and R Ashwin in the mix, the team has a balanced combination of fast and spin bowling options to tackle New Zealand’s lineup.

A Crucial Series Ahead

As India gears up to face New Zealand in their last home Test series before heading to Australia, all eyes will be on Jasprit Bumrah and his leadership role. With Rohit Sharma’s possible absence looming over the horizon, Bumrah’s performance both as a bowler and a leader will be critical in determining India’s fortunes in both the New Zealand and Australia series.

India’s squad is well-rounded, but the true test lies in how they handle the challenges presented by the Kiwis and how they prepare for the grueling tour down under. With the WTC final in sight, the upcoming months will be crucial for Team India.