Who will be India’s next Test Captain: 3 front-runners to watch after Rohit Sharma

India's Test captaincy is a major point of debate for fans and the BCCI, particularly following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. With the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle currently underway, beginning with a five-match series in England in June 2025, the race to replace Rohit Sharma is officially on. Three players stand out—Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant—and have their own very different positives and negatives.

1. Shubman Gill—The Emerging Leader

Shubmanl, 25, is one of the country's brightest young batters. He has played 22 tests for 1,325 runs at a 32.31 average, 4 centuries, and 1 double century. He has led Gujarat Titans in the IPL, and everyone views him as a potential future leader. He struggled to be consistent in the last series against Australia. The selection committee might still consider developing Gill to lead India as a long-term captain, as he has a leader's temperament and is still young.

2. KL Rahul—The Experienced Campaigner

KL Rahul, 33, has been a reliable part of Indian cricket, as he has led the Test team before, and he has played in 52 tests and scored 2,993 runs at a 33.25 average, and scored 7 centuries and 13 fifties. He has captained India in three Test matches in the past and won two. Injuries and inconsistent play hindered his ability to build on momentum, but Rahul's coolness under pressure would be a tremendous help when faced with tough playing conditions abroad (i.e., England).

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3. Rishabh Pant—The X-Factor

Rishabh Pant, Pant, 27, has established himself as one of India’s most influential players in the Test arena. He has played 33 matches and scored 2271 runs at a 43.67 average, with 5 centuries and 11 fifties. Some of his memorable innings in Australia and England have defined him as a cricketer, and he certainly embodies the aggressive nature of a modern-day batsman who changes games with his fearless brand of cricket. Despite a long injury layoff, Pant’s return to competitive cricket and leadership stints with Delhi Capitals in the IPL put him firmly in contention. Former players and fans alike have rallied behind him as a bold, dynamic captaincy choice.

Following Rohit Sharma's retirement, the issue of the captaincy has emerged as Indian cricket's most debated topic. Will the selectors choose Gill's potential, Rahul's consistency, or Pant's exuberance? The choice will define India's Test journey's next chapter.