New captain, stiffer challenge for India

All eyes on Shubman as selectors pick squad for England series; in-form Sai Sudharsan and Karun in the reckoning

- GOMESH S @Chennai

BY the time the sun goes down in the Arabian Sea on Saturday, India will have a new Test captain. In fact, it might actually happen long before the people of Mumbai swarm the Marine drive to watch the sunset with the senior men's selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, set to meet earlier in the day at the BCCI headquarters to discuss, debate and pick the squad and the new skipper for the five-Test series in England.

Of course, there will a press conference where Agarkar names the captain and the squad. There seems to be a consensus that Shubman Gill is the front-runner and will be, in all likelihood, handed over the reins of the most important on-field job in Indian cricket. The names of Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are also being murmured, but considering the fact that head coach Gautam Gambhir and Agarkar will be looking for stability at the helm and long-term options, Gill could well be on top of the list.