ENG vs IND | Jasprit Bumrah set to lead India in fifth Test

Champion Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is all set to lead his country in the upcoming rescheduled 5th Test against England in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who is currently grappling with Covid-19.

According to media reports, Rohit is all set to miss the Birmingham Test due to the deadly contagion. Bumrah, it is believed, has been informed about his impending captaincy debut.

A final confirmation regarding the same is still awaited from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The absence of Rohit is a huge blow for Team India as the champion opener alongside KL Rahul was one of the major reasons why the visitors hold a 2-1 in the five-match series.

With Rahul unavailable and Rohit too set to be consigned to the bench, the onus of negating the new ball threat will fall on Shubman Gill.

It is still not clear who will open with Gill. India added Mayank Agarwal to their squad after Rohit tested positive for the virus. Still, KS Bharat too has made a compelling case courtesy of his performance in the practice game against Leicestershire Foxes.

Rohit, who opened in the first innings of India's warm-up fixture, did not take part in the second innings, and it was later confirmed that he had tested positive for Covid.

If Bumrah does get the leadership duties, it will be a culmination of a stellar 4-year-phase for the Gujarat seamer.

From being pigeonholed as a white-ball specialist to becoming one of the biggest match-winners in the longest format to now leading his country in one of the most crucial games in recent times.

If India wins or draws the Edgbaston Test, it will be the first time since 2007 that they will bring home the Pataudi Trophy.

The 5th Test will commence in Birmingham from July 01.