New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah is the frontrunner to replace Rohit Sharma as India’s Test captain going forward but the peerless pacer doesn’t seem to be a long-term option given his nagging fitness concerns, the latest being a back spasm which has rendered him doubtful for next month’s Champions Trophy.
Indian selectors are hopeful that he still might have some role in the Champions Trophy since it’s swelling, but when one looks at the bigger picture the question arises whether he can be deemed a permanent skipper in Tests, now that Rohit’s days in whites look as good as over.
If Bumrah is fit and ready to lead the Test side in England, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his four colleagues need to have a strong name as vice-captain so that in case of an unforeseen scenario, the deputy is good enough to take charge.
While there’s been no official word from Rohit about stepping down permanently or retiring from Test cricket, the speculation around Bumrah’s elevation as a full-time captain has sparked debate within the cricketing fraternity.
Mohammad Kaif took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his reservations about appointing Jasprit Bumrah as India’s Test captain.
Kaif argued that leadership responsibilities might place undue pressure on Bumrah, whose primary role as India’s lead pacer demands sustained fitness and focus.
“BCCI should think twice before appointing Bumrah as full-time captain. He needs to solely focus on taking wickets and staying fit. Added leadership responsibility, getting carried away in the heat of the moment can result in injuries and shorten an outstanding career. Don’t kill the golden goose,” Kaif tweeted.
Beyond Test and T20I cricket, Bumrah has not had the opportunity to captain India in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), nor has he taken up captaincy roles in domestic cricket or the Indian Premier League (IPL).
