New Delhi: Star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has withdrawn his candidacy for India's Test captaincy due to workload concerns. He reportedly informed selectors of his inability to commit to playing all five matches in extended Test series.

Consequently, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant are now considered the leading contenders to succeed Rohit Sharma, who recently retired from Test cricket. The selectors' preference for a player available for all five matches in the upcoming England series has seemingly ruled out Bumrah, despite his earlier status as a frontrunner.

Following Jasprit Bumrah's withdrawal, the selection committee is expected to appoint either Shubman Gill or Rishabh Pant as India's captain for the upcoming England series. The other player will likely serve as vice-captain. The team and captaincy decisions are anticipated to be revealed by May 24th.

Reports from Sky Sports News indicate that Virat Kohli has privately informed the BCCI of his intention to retire from Test cricket before the England series. Although the BCCI has not issued a public confirmation or denial, they haven't refuted the Sky Sports News report.

Virat Kohli had informed chief selector Ajit Agarkar back in April about his plans to step away from Test cricket before the start of the new World Test Championship cycle in June. While Agarkar, along with another senior BCCI official, had been scheduled to meet Kohli for a follow-up discussion, that meeting is now in limbo due to escalating tensions at the India-Pakistan border. The government has issued an advisory discouraging inter-city travel amid the current situation.