Test Vs England: Bumrah To Lead As Rohit Is Ruled Out; Who Was Last Pacer To Lead India?

Birmingham: Rohit Sharma has been ruled out of the rescheduled final Test against England, which was cancelled last year due to COVID-19 concerns.

Rohit, who had contracted COVID-19 last week, has tested positive for the coronavirus a second time, reported PTI. With the Test set to get underway at Edgbaston here in two days’ time (from July 1), there is no time for Rohit to recover.

Jasprit Bumrah, one of the vice-captains named in recent months, will be the skipper for the one-off Test. Had KL Rahul been part of the tour, he would have led Team India. But the stylish right-hander was ruled out due to a groin injury for which he will be undergoing surgery.

Also Lead: Who Will Succeed Kohli? Candidates Galore, Even Bumrah Is Ready To Be Captain

It’s not often that a fast bowler leads a country, especially in Test matches.

The last time an Indian pacer captained India was the legendary Kapil Dev, in 1987. India’s first World Cup-winning skipper led India in 34 Tests — winning 4, losing 7, 22 drawn and 1 tied.