With Rohit Sharma closing in on 37, selectors and fans alike understand India need a new Test captain sooner rather than later. And India Cricket Team’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has put his hands up. While it will be BCCI’s call, the accidental captain, who led India in England in just a Test confirmed his interest in the job “if given the opportunity”. He will be Rohit’s deputy in IND vs ENG Test series.
“I did one game and it was the utmost honour. Playing Test cricket is great, captaining was even better. Yes, we lost but we were ahead in the match and I loved the responsibility. Sometimes as a fast bowler, you go down to fine leg and switch off but I loved being involved in every decision, right in the thick of things. And given the opportunity, of course, who wouldn’t?” Jasprit Bumrah told The Guardian in an interview.
Is Jasprit Bumrah fit enough to lead?
However, with Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, the one big question that lingers around is if they are fit enough. Bumrah has already missed two years of his career owing to a nagging lower back injury. He missed the T20 World Cup 2022 and WTC Final 2023 with the same injury.
Moreover, not many fast bowlers have led India for a longer duration other than Kapil Dev, who was also an all-rounder. In fact, it took 35 years for India to have a captain who is a pacer. But Jasprit Bumrah backs his claims with an example of Pat Cummins and Tim Southee.
The Australian captain has already led the team to World Cup and WTC titles.
“Cummins plays for Australia, but the number of matches differs and that kind of thing. Not many seamers have done it before. But it’s a good example that yes, fast bowlers are the smart ones, they do a hard job and they know what to do around the game,” Jasprit Bumrah said.
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