Why Jasprit Bumrah was overlooked for Team India Test captaincy

NEW DELHI: Right-handed batter Shubman Gill has been named India’s 37th Test captain, as chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 18-member squad on Saturday for the crucial five-match tour of England, beginning June 20.Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been appointed as the vice-captain.

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The squad was finalised by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee during a meeting held at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia acted as the meeting’s convener. The selection was later revealed at a formal press conference addressed by Agarkar and selector Shiv Sunder Das.

Agarkar also clarified that star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to feature in all five Tests during the tour.

He emphasised that Bumrah’s role as a bowler is more vital to the team than adding captaincy responsibilities to his workload.

"Don't think he'll be available for all five Tests. Whether it's four or three, we'll see based on how the series goes and his workload is. Even if he's fit for 3-4 Tests, he'll be an asset for us. Just happy he's part of the squad. He’s more important to us as a player.”

“Once you're managing people, there's a lot that takes out of you.

We've had a chat with him, he's okay with it. He knows where his body's at. KL not really, he's captained a while back, he's a quality player and hope he has a big series. With Booms, it was more about his workload management."The highly anticipated Test series between India and England will run from June 20 to August 4, with matches scheduled at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval. India will be looking to register their first Test series win in England since 2007.India's squad for England Tests:Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.