Image Source: AFP
[Saba Sports News] In 2022, the BCCI’s previous selection committee considered Jasprit Bumrah as a potential candidate to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s full-time all-format captain. Bumrah led India in a rescheduled Test against England and served as Rohit’s deputy in recent series, including the tour of South Africa and the home series against England. Despite demonstrating leadership abilities and expressing his willingness to take on the role, BCCI chose to focus on Shubman Gill’s ascension.
Gill was recently named India’s vice-captain in white-ball cricket, and a report suggested he might also be appointed vice-captain in Test cricket for the home series against Bangladesh in September.
In a conversation , Bumrah hinted that he is ready to lead the Indian team if given the opportunity. He remarked, “That is something I don’t decide. I cannot go to the team and say you have to make me Captain. I don’t have that much power, and it is above my pay grade.”
Bumrah argued that bowlers make better captains because they are always at odds in a sport that favors batters. “Bowlers are the smart people because they have to get the batsman out. We are always fighting the odds because the grounds are shorter, the bats are better. I don’t remember any technology coming that helps bowlers swing the ball more,” he said.
He emphasized the challenges bowlers face, noting that when a game is lost, bowlers often get blamed. “I take a lot of pride in doing that job. It requires a lot of guts to put a lot of strain on your body and still create an impact,” he added.
Bumrah cited World Cup-winning captains like Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, and Pat Cummins as examples of successful bowler-captains.
“I think leadership requires you to be brave. I have seen Wasim Akram as captain, Kapil Dev winning the World Cup for India, Imran Khan for Pakistan. So bowlers are the smart ones. It’s just that physically, it’s stressful for them. Sometimes leadership goes to the batters, but I am a fan of fast bowlers and believe they are the smart ones,” he concluded.