Ex-India opener Wasim Jaffer isn't happy with Jasprit Bumrah's elevation as India captain for the fifth and the final Test against England at Edgbaston starting Friday. According to him, India's management, including coach Rahul Dravid should have appointed Cheteshwar Pujara as the skipper of the national side because he has experience leading his state team in the Ranji Trophy. Jasprit Bumrah, on the other hand, has never captained any team in the sport in the past. But Wasim Jaffer also said that Jasprit Bumrah deserved to be the leader because he was the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team during the tour of South Africa. Moreover, he has been an integral part of India's bowling line-up across formats and has delivered more often than not, even in overseas conditions.
“I have seen Pujara lead in first-class cricket. He is a decent enough leader. He has played 90 (95) odd Tests, so I feel it would have made more sense to go with him,” Wasim Jaffer said on ESPNCricinfo.
“Bumrah was vice-captain previously so obvious for him to become captain but knowing the importance of the match, knowing that the series is on the line, I would have been tempted to look at Cheteshwar Pujara. Bumrah hasn't captained at all. For him to lead in such a Test without experience but you never know. Bumrah looks intelligent, and has got great game sense so he might surprise us as Hardik Pandya did,” Jaffer added.
Jasprit Bumrah would become the first pacer since the legendary Kapil Dev to captain India in the longest format of the sport.
After Kapil Dev, India's leadership has been primarily in the hands of superstar batters, namely Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, and Virat Kohli, with a short tenure under spin legend Anil Kumble but a fast bowler hasn't captained them in more than three decades.
Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, would become the seventh India skipper in the last nine months.
He spoke about his interaction with MS Dhoni who began his reign at the helm without any kind of experience as captain back in 2007. MS Dhoni, however, went on to become the greatest captain India has ever seen. In fact, he's the only skipper to win all three ICC trophies – the T20 World Cup, 50-over World Cup, and the Champions Trophy. Besides MS Dhoni guided the Indian team to the top ranking in Test cricket.
“The taste of success feels good when there is pressure. I am always up for responsibilities and I love to be in tough challenges. As a cricketer, you always want to test yourself in deep waters. I have spoken to many cricketers. Everybody improves and keeps getting better,” Bumrah said in a press conference on Thursday.
“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,” the 28-year-old cricketer added.
“Representing India in Tests was always a dream for me and this opportunity to lead the side 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,” a happy-looking Jasprit Bumrah said.
“I only came to know that I would be leading the side after Rohit Sharma tested positive once again on Thursday. I first broke the news to my family when I came to know that I would be leading the side,” he pointed out.
“I had a look at the wicket and had discussions with our coach (Rahul Dravid) and have a fair idea on how this wicket might behave. We have decided on the openers against England as well but won't reveal anything now.”
“Rohit is a very important player and we will miss him in this game. It's unfortunate that someone like Rohit is missing out,” Jasprit Bumrah concluded.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (Ruled Out), Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rishabh Pant (Wicket Keeper and Vice-Captain), KS Bharat (Wicket Keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (Captain), Mohd, Siraj, Umesh Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna.
England Squad: Ben Stokes (Captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Sam Billings, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Matty Potts, Olli Pope.
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