New Delhi: As India faces England in the first of five Tests at Leeds on Friday, the atmosphere in the Indian locker room will be different. Shubman Gill, the new captain, heads a team that is rather inexperienced. Jasprit Bumrah will be a key veteran, and India's success will heavily depend on his fitness and ability to take wickets.

There was some surprise when Bumrah, who captained India in two Tests in Australia, was not named Test captain to succeed Rohit Sharma. Bumrah was recuperating from a stress reaction in his back, which he had sustained during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney in January, and therefore missed the Champions Trophy earlier this year. He only came back to play after the Mumbai Indians' first four matches of IPL 2025.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated when introducing Gill as captain of an 18-member Test team on May 24, "Bumrah is more important to us as a player." We want him to be in shape. When you're leading 15 to 16 others, there's always that additional weight. He knows it, and he'd rather take care of himself and be in shape for bowling. He'd also rather be bowling as well as he can.

It had suggested that the bowling spearhead's workload be monitored. For that reason, when the BCCI was deciding who would lead the team, Bumrah disclosed in an interview with Sky Sports Cricket that he had withdrawn from the captaincy contest.

"There are no elaborate tales to it. "There is no controversy or a headlining statement that I was sacked or I was not looked at," he told Dinesh Karthik, a former India stumper.

"I had discussed my workload for a five-match series with the BCCI during the IPL prior to Rohit and Virat's retirement." I've talked to the individuals who have taken care of my back, as well as the surgeon, who has consistently advised me to be very cautious with my workload.

"Then we realized that I need to be more intelligent." I therefore contacted the BCCI and stated that I do not want to be seen in a leadership position since I cannot facilitate a five-match Test series for all games.

Following the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Bumrah are among the experienced players in the lineup. Gill, who has a 14.66 average in three games in England, will be under pressure to establish himself as a batsman in seaming circumstances.

Despite Gill's assurance in leading the squad and his team members' and coach's trust in him, he will still need to establish himself as a batter and captain. BCCI have made an investment in him with the long-term development of the team's future in mind.

“The BCCI was looking at me, at (for) leadership (role),” Bumrah said. “But then I had to say no as it’s not fair for the team if in a five-Test series, three matches somebody is leading and two matches somebody else is leading. Even though my presence as a player brings much more, just not as a captain, I have always wished to prioritize the team.

Bumrah stated that, even if he doesn't have the captain's title, he will be better able to make an impact by playing as a player. Its goal is to extend his career in Test cricket.

"Captaincy is a position. But I wanted to do that, and you always have team leaders. However, if I'm not cautious, I could be unaware of the future and find myself in a position where I have to suddenly leave this format. I believed that for continuity's sake—and it's only fair to the squad—that you see the team taking a long-term approach and that I can assist in any way possible.

Bumrah stated that he does not evaluate fast bowlers on whether they select and choose formats to manage their workload in contemporary cricket. However, he wants to succeed in all formats of the game, but Test cricket still comes first for him.

He explained that it has been decided that he will not participate in more than three Test matches. According to Coach Gautam Gambhir, it has not been determined which Tests Bumrah will participate in.

"I'm looking at three tests, but we'll plan as we go." "The first (Test) is definitely on," Bumrah stated. "The rest we will see how things are, what is the workload and scenario... but yes, three Tests is what I can manage at this moment." I give it my all in every game I play, I hope.

Read Also: Harshit Rana Joins India’s Test Tour as ‘Unofficial Cover’ Over Injury Concerns

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