Kris Srikkanth questions Shubman Gill’s captaincy appointment as India looks beyond Ro-Ko era

Srikkanth’s statement

Srikkanth doesn't see Bumrah’s workload management as a concern. If Bumrah misses one or two Test matches, then KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant should be given the responsibility as the vice-captain. “ Who’s a ready-made captaincy candidate now? Shubman Gill ? I don’t think he is still a certainty in the XI. You’re not handing the captaincy to KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant. Otherwise, you give it to Jasprit Bumrah.”  Srikkanth also believes that Bumrah should be the captain. “ As of now, I think Bumrah should be the captain. If I were the chairman of selectors, I would make Bumrah the captain. And then I’d say, ‘Boss, play whichever matches you want to’. I’d then appoint KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant as vice-captain, because these are certainties in the XI.”

Srikkanth added “ There’s nothing wrong with that. You can’t be appointing someone as captain just for the sake of it. I don’t know what the selectors are thinking, but this is my view”.

Shubman Gill’s Test Career

After the Brisbane Test in 2021, Shubman Gill couldn’t perform in overseas conditions.Gill debuted in Test format in 2020 and he has played 32 matches so far averaging just 35.05. But the glaring factor is he averages below 20 in countries like England and South Africa. Since that 91 in the famous Brisbane Test, Gill couldn’t score a fifty in any of the SENA countries. In SENA countries and in West Indies, Gill has scored 559 runs in 13 matches averaging just 25, with merely two fifties in 24 innings. When asked about Gill Srikkanth said “ A lot is being said about Shubman Gill, but he is yet to score big runs. In England, Australia and South Africa he has never scored. That means you’re thrusting everything on him. Let Shubman Gill establish himself in Test cricket. He is a king in home conditions.”

Kris Srikkanth is absolutely spot on with his opinion. The selectors need to appoint someone as a Test captain who performs consistently. Gill hasn’t found his feet in Test cricket as of now especially in overseas conditions. He started his career brilliantly in Australia but couldn’t continue the same. In fact, his performance in SENA countries deteriorated after that innings. If Jasprit Bumrah has injury concerns then someone like Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul should be appointed as the captain. These two have much better consistent performances as of now.