Chances of Rohit Sharma leading India in the Edgbaston Test against England have taken a back seat as the India captain has failed to recover from the Covid-19 infection, contracted during a warm-up game in Leicester last week. National selectors and team management have chosen to stand by till the latest possible second, as recently reported by Cricbuzz, stating that the captain has still not been ruled out.

Since testing positive last Saturday (June 25), Rohit has been in constant isolation, returning positive in each RT PCR test directed on him since. As a matter of fact, Rohit didn’t go with the team from Leicester to Birmingham on Monday (June 27). He went to the Warwickshire city independently. He failed a test even on Wednesday (June 29) leaving the team management and selectors considering alternatives.

Jasprit Bumrah is probably going to step in as captain if Rohit fails the wellness test on Thursday (June 30) morning.

Should that be the situation, Bumrah will be the first pacer, since Kapil Dev, to be given the reins of the team. The names of R Ashwin and Rishabh Pant were likewise talked about yet they failed in ultimate analysis.

The former is a dicey starter for the Test, given his new Covid-19 history, and the latter is ruled out because of his not-too-impressive record as skipper recently. Additionally, Bumrah’s vast international experience makes him the obvious choice in the ongoing situation.

The India coach refused to confirm if Bumrah will be the obvious choice for the captaincy. 

“It is probably better if the communication comes from official sources. I am not sure where Chetan (Sharma, the chief selector) is, but once we have the exact clarity on Rohit, you will hear from the official sources. It’s not for me to give out official communication, It’s up to the medical team and the sports science team to decide. I haven’t had a chance to see him since he is in quarantine and isolation. We will keep monitoring the situation.”

As quoted by India coach

Also Read: WTC Scenarios ahead of the Edgbaston Test

As per record, the selectors have not named a vice-captain for the series after KL Rahul pulled out because of groin injury. Aside from the captaincy problem, the Indian group likewise has a hard choice to make on the second opener, to accomplice Shubman Gill. The decision could be between Mayank Agarwal and KS Bharat with the former having an edge.

The July 1-5 Test is the fifth and final match of the five-game series that was suddenly stopped last year after a spate of Covid-19 cases in the Indian team. India lead the series 2-1.

Jasprit Bumrah likely to lead Team India in the final Test. Just for some spice, make James Anderson England's captain. #ENGvIND

— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) June 26, 2022