Sanjay Bangar, a former batting coach of India, believes Jasprit Bumrah was probably not considered for the Test captaincy on the same premise as a decision taken about Hardik Pandya. He made these comments in connection with the growing speculation that Shubman Gill might take over as the next Test captain of India from Rohit Sharma, meaning Bumrah, who would have been among the candidates, in all likelihood, has already been dismissed. The selection committee is expected to confirm the decision and unveil the squad for when India tours England later this week. Back in 2024, just after the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav was appointed T20I captain, with Hardik Pandya being excluded. During the announcement, Ajit Agarkar, the chief selector, had said there was a need for a captain who would play consistently in the XI which implied reference to the ongoing fitness issues with Hardik. Bangar feels a similar standard was applied in Bumrah’s case; having undergone a period of injuries, he needed his workload to be managed. It also stories that the BCCI isn’t considering Bumrah for vice-captaincy, given the prospects of him not playing all five Tests. He commented: “The yardstick which was taken for Hardik Pandya when Suryakumar was named T20I captain…the reasoning there was that Hardik has fitness issues, he may not be available. Hence, we are looking at a player who is guaranteed a place in the playing XI. That’s how Surya was elevated to the T20I captaincy. Now, if we equate that thought process with Test captaincy as well, on that basis, Jasprit may have to miss out.” Also Read | KL Rahul goes past Virat Kohli to create this massive record Bumrah had previously led India for two Tests in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy when Rohit Sharma was unavailable. Though Rohit was again expected to lead the team onto the field in the England series, he stunned the whole world with his retirement announcement just before the team embarked on the UK tour.