BCCI is scratching its head over the impending captaincy question with just over a month to go for the crucial five-Test series against England, and although Shubman Gill is a clear frontrunner, the decision not to let ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah lead the team is something that is on the back of everyone’s mind.

The captaincy role was meant for Bumrah until he left the Sydney Cricket Ground for X-rays while holding his back four months ago.

In Bumrah’s absence, any hopes of India winning the final Test against Australia went up in smoke, and so did his chances to lead the team in England.

According to a report in PTI,  there were rumours that influential people running Indian cricket are not happy with Gill’s sudden elevation, but it would be reckless to believe that they were not taken into confidence before the youngster was decided as the next captain.

That leaves Bumrah, now 31, in a situation where permanent India leadership might just look like a distant dream and according to the report, it will be tough for him to play five consecutive Tests.

One injury four months back in Sydney, and Bumrah remained out of any cricketing action for three months.

Before that, Bumrah missed almost a year of action because of an on-field breakdown just before the T20 World Cup in Australia three years ago.

Meanwhile, Gill’s official crowning as India’s new Test skipper appears imminent. According to a report in Web Press Global, Gill, leading the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League, might be named captain when the national selectors announce the team for the upcoming tour of England.

Two recent developments indicate that the Gill leadership era is about to start in Indian cricket. During IPL 2025, when Gujarat were in Delhi to play the Capitals, Gill visited India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s residence for lunch. The duo spoke for four to five hours, according to reports.

After Gujarat’s match against the Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium earlier this month, India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar had a discussion with Gill as well.