India are all set to take on England in a five-match Test Series from June 20, and this marks the start of their campaign in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. Shubman Gill was selected as the new captain of the team, after the retirement of Rohit Sharma from the longest format of the game. Jasprit Bumrah was considered as the captain, but chief selector Ajit Agarkar informed that he would only play three or four out of the five Tests due to fitness issues. Now, legendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar has dropped a massive bombshell regarding how Gill was made captain.

In his column for Mid-Day, Sunil Gavaskar said that the selectors could only select Shubman Gill as the captain because a selfless Jasprit Bumrah informed them that he would not be able to play all Tests due to a back issue. He also said that Gill would always depend on the leadership skills of Bumrah in England.

"The fact that a total team-man and selfless cricketer named Jasprit Bumrah informed the selectors that since he may not be able to play all Test matches because of his back issue, the selectors could zero in at Gill as the new India captain, made the selection even easier. Make no mistake, Bumrah will be at hand for Gill to lean on to and he will also undoubtedly lead the bowling group as they try and plot the English batters' dismissals," Gavaskar wrote.

Sunil Gavaskar also felt that the Indian team for the England tour is well-balanced, with 18 players to choose from. However, he also pointed out that the schedule for the England series is crammed with five games in six weeks.

"The Indian team looks well balanced, and now with BCCI having enough funds, the selectors' jobs are a bit easier as they can pick 18 instead of the 16 that most other teams choose. So, they have taken six new-ball users plus Nitish Reddy who can bowl lively medium pace. Yes, the tour is a cramped one with five Test matches in six weeks and so there will be need for net bowlers as the Test bowlers would need some rest after the efforts in the back-to-back Test matches," the legendary former India captain added.

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