Following Rohit Sharma’s recent retirement from Test cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is facing a leadership void in the longest format of the game, particularly with a challenging five-match Test series against England looming. Amidst reports that Virat Kohli has also communicated his intention to retire from Test cricket, former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu has suggested a surprising solution: appointing Virat Kohli as a “stop-gap” captain for the England tour.
Sidhu acknowledged that while Shubman Gill is considered a frontrunner for the Test captaincy, and Rishabh Pant a likely vice-captain, he raised concerns about Gill’s relatively inexperienced record in overseas conditions. Speaking to Sports Tak, Sidhu pointed out that Gill “averages just 25” outside the subcontinent and is yet to score a Test century away from home.
As of today, May 12, 2025, Shubman Gill has played 32 Test matches, scoring 1893 runs at an average of 35.05. While he has shown promise, including five centuries and seven half-centuries, his average in overseas Tests is indeed lower.
Virat Kohli as a Stop-Gap Captain:
Given this context, Sidhu proposed that if the BCCI is concerned about overburdening their premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah with captaincy, the best option would be to entrust the leadership to Virat Kohli for the England series. He emphasized Kohli’s vast experience and the instrumental role he played in building the current Indian team.
“If you don’t want Bumrah as you are concerned about his back, then make Virat Kohli the stop-gap captain, which is the best possible thing. Virat Kohli, give him responsibility,” 1 Sidhu stated. “Rohit and Virat made the Indian team. The era of fast bowlers came when Virat Kohli was the captain. He played an important role in team building. Many people forget.”
Virat Kohli’s Test Captaincy Record:
Virat Kohli has an impressive record as India’s Test captain. He led the team in 68 Test matches, winning 40, losing 17, and drawing 11. His win percentage of 58.82% is the highest among all Indian Test captains. Notably, he led India to their first-ever Test series victory in Australia in 2018-19 and ensured the team held the No.1 spot in the ICC Test Team Rankings for five consecutive years (2016-2021).
Retirement Reports and BCCI’s Efforts:
Several reports have emerged suggesting that Virat Kohli has informed the BCCI about his decision to retire from Test cricket. This news, following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, has created significant concern within the board and among fans, given the wealth of experience both players bring.
It has been reported that the BCCI has reached out to Kohli, urging him to reconsider his decision, especially with the crucial England tour starting on June 20. Some reports even suggest that a highly influential figure in Indian cricket has been asked to speak with Kohli to convince him to prolong his Test career.
However, conflicting reports also indicate that the BCCI might not have actually asked Kohli to reconsider, with sources suggesting that the board believes he no longer fits into their long-term plans.
Impact on the England Tour:
If both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are unavailable for the England tour, it would leave a significant void in the Indian batting lineup in terms of experience. While players like Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are talented, they lack the extensive experience of playing Test cricket in challenging English conditions.
Navjot Singh Sidhu believes that Kohli’s experience would be invaluable for India in England, describing the tour as the “toughest litmus test.” He suggested that even if Kohli intends to retire, he should consider being a “stop-gap” captain for the next six to seven months to guide the team and give the younger players, like Gill, time to settle into leadership roles.
