Rohit Sharma all set to lead India in England Test series

Rohit Sharma appears poised to reclaim his position as captain of the Indian Test cricket team for the forthcoming series against England. This development arises after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) renewed its trust in Sharma by retaining him in the elite A+ contract category. Speculation had been rife regarding a possible leadership change following India's disappointing results in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India's struggle against Australia culminated in a 4-1 series defeat, further exacerbated by prior losses to New Zealand on home turf. Nevertheless, Sharma managed a comeback by steering India to a Champions Trophy victory in March.

Performance Under Scanner

Throughout 2024, Sharma's prowess as a batsman came under the scanner, given a series of subpar performances, notably against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia. His challenges were evident despite a strong start to the year with commendable knocks against England. Criticism reached its zenith when fluctuating form in the Test arena led to Sharma stepping down for the fifth Test against Australia. His 2024 Test statistics reflect 619 runs across 14 matches, with an average of 24.76.

Captaincy Debate

In January, doubts surfaced about Sharma's captaincy future following India's Champions Trophy success. However, his triumph in the tournament solidified his role, with the selection committee supporting his leadership. "He has demonstrated his capabilities," a source stated, affirming Sharma's aptitude for leading the team during the England tour. Sharma himself has shown eagerness to extend his Test career.

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Continuing Influence

Despite stepping away from T20 Internationals after announcing his retirement, Sharma remains a pivotal figure in the Test side, along with veterans like Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, all of whom are retained in the top contract tier for 2025/26. India is set to engage England in a five-match Test series, commencing in June.