"We also saw the senior players go with him” - Former RCB coach on Rohit Sharma’s successor post BGT 2024-25

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) coach and ex-Aussie batter Simon Katich firmly believes that Jasprit Bumrah should take over from Rohit Sharma as the Indian Test captain. Katich's remarks came after India surrendered the Border-Gavaskar Trophy to Australia 1-3, following their 0-3 home series whitewash at the hands of New Zealand.

While Bumrah led the side in India's lone win against Australia in the series opener at Perth, the side lost two of the next three matches under Rohit. Bumrah was the captain again for the final Test in Sydney after Rohit opted out due to poor batting form.

However, a back injury forced Bumrah to be a spectator for the entire second innings, with Virat Kohli taking over the leadership duties.

Talking about India's Test captaincy, Katich said on the Around the Wicket Podcast:

"We also saw the senior players go with him. Virat Kohli was fully of energy and spirit in the field late on Day 1. He ( Bumrah) is at the peak of his powers so he has to be captain moving forward because when you look at Rohit, it was a disjointed campaign for him. He averaged just over 6 and the warning signs are there for him."

He added:

"Without a doubt in my mind, has to be Bumrah. We saw the spirit India played with particularly in Perth on Day 1 and for the rest of that Test match when they were rolled over for 150.That Test could have easily gone the other way but we saw him lead the charge with the ball, knock over the top order and get Australia in huge amount of pressure."

Before the Australian series, Bumrah had captained India only once in Tests - the series finale in England in 2022 which they lost by seven wickets.

"Gambhir has got some tough questions to ask in these next few months" - Simon Katich

Gambhir's coaching stint has begun on a tumultuous note [Source: Getty]

Simon Katich felt Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir must make tough calls regarding Rohit Sharma and others, with the transition coming in Test cricket.

Rohit has struggled as a batter and captain in recent months, averaging under 11 in his last 15 Test innings, with India losing five out of their last six Tests under him.

"It's been brewing probably for the last six months with his form and he's 37 now. So I Think Gambhir has got some tough questions to ask in these next few months. There are going to be some questions asked of him but with the team in transition, he's going to have to make some tough calls in the next few months," said Katich.

With the back-to-back series defeats to New Zealand and Australia, India missed out on the World Test Championship (WTC) final qualification for the first time in three editions.