Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has stated that the selection committee found it simpler to choose Shubman Gill as Test captain ahead of the next England tour after a 'selfless' Jasprit Bumrah notified them ahead of time that he would be unable to play all five Tests.

Despite playing all 32 Test matches for India, Gill is only 25 years old, and many people don't think he deserves to be a leader based on his average of 35.

Although Bumrah was thought to be Rohit Sharma's replacement, the selection committee chose a player who would undoubtedly play five Test matches because they wanted to continue with one captain rather than switch around the lineup.

“The fact that the total team-man and selfless cricketer named Jasprit Bumrah informed the selectors that since he may not be able to play all Tests because of his back issue, the selectors could zero in on Gill as the new India captain, made the selection even easier.

Make no mistake, Bumrah will be at hand for Gill to lean on, and he will also undoubtedly lead the bowling group as they try and plot the English batters’ dismissals. The Indian team looks well balanced,” Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day.

Gavaskar lauded the balance of the Indian squad but showed concern for the schedule. India and England play the first Test from June 20 in Leeds, with the next four being played across just over a month.

“So, they have taken six new-ball users plus Nitish Reddy, who can bowl lively medium pace. Yes, the tour is a cramped one with five Tests in six weeks, and so there will be a need for net bowlers as the Test bowlers would need some rest after the efforts in the consecutive Tests," Gavaskar said.

India A's second four-day encounter against the England Lions, which begins on June 6, may be without Gill and Sai Sudharsan.

The Gujarat Titans include Gill and Sudharsan. It will be difficult for both of them to join the India A team before the match if Gujarat advances to the final, which is set for June 3 in Ahmedabad.