Bumrah steps into the breach as 36th test capt
With Rohit ruled out, the 28-year-old will become the first pacer to lead India since Kapil in 1987
KOLKATA: Jasprit Bumrah will be India’s 36th Test captain and Rishabh Pant his deputy after Rohit Sharma tested positive for Covid-19 again. The first fast bowler to become India captain since Kapil Dev in 1987, Bumrah has never led at any competitive level in his professional career. Though sudden, this promotion seems apt considering the rapid strides Bumrah has made of late.
“It is a very big honour. It is a very big achievement,” said Bumrah at the pre-match press conference at Edgbaston on Thursday. “We did a test today morning as well. Rohit tested positive. Then I was officially informed that I was going to lead the side.”
The Indian team management tried their best to get Sharma back on his feet. And for good reason as well. Not just captain, in Sharma India had the reassurance of a batter with the best returns from last summer—368 runs at a scintillating average of 52.57 with a hundred (127 in the fourth Test at Oval) and two fifties.
Sharma’s unavailability scuppers a set opening combination with KL Rahul (who has undergone a sports hernia surgery in Germany) that helped India put up some formidable scores last summer. India have already chosen a makeshift opening combination from a pool comprising Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Hanuma Vihari and possibly Cheteshwar Pujara but Bumrah didn’t disclose the names.
India had officially started grooming Bumrah for a leadership role by appointing him vice-captain for the home series against Sri Lanka in March. Bumrah always seemed a natural fit, be it in leading the pace attack in epic victories in South Africa, Australia and England; or putting up vital rearguard partnerships, his 89-run ninthwicket stand with Mohammad Shami in the 151-run win at Lord’s being the most impactful till date.
But this job—though oneoff—is possibly the most daunting challenge Bumrah is set to face in an impressive four-year Test career. He isn’t fazed by it though.
“I remember speaking to MS (Dhoni), and he told me that he never captained any side before he led India for the first time. Now, he is remembered as one of the most successful captains of all time. So, I am focusing on how I can help the team and not focusing on what I have done before or how the cricketing conventions or the rules have been set,” said Bumrah.
India lead the five-match series 2-1 but armed with a new captain in Ben Stokes, a new coach in Brendon Mccullum and a completely different philosophy, this England side looks worlds apart from the one they had faced last year.
Properly run in with a 3-0 clean sweep of Test world champions New Zealand, England are gunning for an equalising win.
“You play cricket for responsibility,” said Bumrah. “When there is pressure the taste of success feels good. I’m always up for more responsibility. I love tough challenges and this is no different. You want to challenge yourself in deep water.
“Representing India in Tests was always a dream for me and this is the biggest achievement of my career. I’m very happy that I’ve been given this opportunity. I have had immense faith in myself. In every scenario, I have trusted my instincts that have taken me to this level in cricket and I will keep doing that, going forward. Nothing changes for me, especially my role. That’s what I am going to do as the captain of the side.”