India’s England Tour May See Change in Test Leadership Structure

India’s premier pace bowler and current Test vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to retain his leadership role for the upcoming five-Test series against England, scheduled to begin in late June. According to information from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) sources, the key reason is workload management, as Bumrah is not expected to play in all five matches of the series.

The selection committee is reportedly inclined to appoint a player who will be available throughout the series and can consistently support the captain. “We want to assign the vice-captaincy to someone who will play all five Tests. Bumrah might not feature in every match, and naming different vice-captains for each game is not ideal. It’s important that both the captain and vice-captain remain stable and are regulars in all games,” BCCI sources stated.

Jasprit Bumrah has previously led India to victory in a Test match during the Australia tour, which was the team’s only win in that series. Despite this leadership experience, the current strategy appears focused on preserving his fitness and limiting his workload during the long England series.

There is also growing interest in grooming a future leader, with selectors reportedly considering young talent for the vice-captaincy role—not merely based on availability, but also with an eye on long-term leadership potential. Among the current squad, Shubman Gill (25) and Rishabh Pant (27) are the only players viewed as fitting this profile. Other regulars such as Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and K.L. Rahul are all above 30, while Yashasvi Jaiswal (23) is still considered too young for a leadership position at this stage.

Bumrah’s history of injuries, particularly his previous struggle with a back issue that kept him out of action for an extended period, also appears to be a consideration in these deliberations. BCCI officials are reportedly cautious about his fitness status ahead of the demanding England tour.

Former head coach Ravi Shastri also weighed in on Bumrah’s participation. Speaking to ICC Review, he advised a careful approach. “You have to be very cautious with Bumrah. Play him in two Tests and then give him a break. Four Tests would be ideal. If he starts off brilliantly, you may want to play him in all five, but his physical response is key. If he feels even a minor discomfort, he should be given the option to rest,” Shastri said.

With Bumrah likely stepping back from the leadership role, the selection of India’s new Test vice-captain for the England tour is set to become a point of significant interest.