Sunil Gavaskar has strongly endorsed Jasprit Bumrah as the future Test captain of the Indian cricket team, highlighting his leadership qualities that make him stand out. Bumrah led India to a 295-run victory in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia in Perth.
The world-class pacer was handed the captaincy in the fifth and final Test, but he got injured in the first innings and could not bowl in the second innings, as Australia won the New Year’s Test by six wickets to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against India in Sydney.
Sunil Gavaskar backs Jasprit Bumrah as India’s future Test captain
Before the Australia tour, Jasprit Bumrah made his debut as India’s captain in 2022 during a Test match against England in Birmingham after Rohit Sharma failed to recover in time from COVID-19. He then became the first fast bowler to lead India since Kapil Dev, who last led India in 1987.
Bumrah was handed India’s captaincy again in 2023 for India’s tour to Ireland for a three-match T20I series. Under his leadership, India won the series 2-0, with the third game abandoned due to rain in Ireland. So far, Bumrah has won three international matches, lost one, and had one no result as India captain.
He’s got a very good air of a leader: Sunil Gavaskar on Jasprit Bumrah
Meanwhile, the legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar praised Jasprit Bumrah for leading from the front in Australia, showing a natural aura of authority without applying unnecessary pressure on his teammates. Notably, Bumrah was named India’s vice-captain for the BGT 2024-25 in Australia.
Sunil Gavaskar said on 7Cricket: “He could be the next man; I think he will be the next man because he leads from the front. He’s got a very good air about him, the air of a leader, but not somebody who’s going to put pressure on you. Sometimes you have captains who put a lot of pressure on you.”
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I won’t be surprised if he takes over very soon: Sunil Gavaskar
The former Indian captain believes that Bumrah’s calm and composed approach makes him the ideal candidate to take over as Test captain soon. According to Gavaskar, Bumrah’s excellent communication with fast bowlers and his ability to guide them from the field, whether at mid-off or mid-on, further strengthen his leadership potential. With these remarkable qualities, Gavaskar predicted that Bumrah could soon be named India’s next captain.
Sunil Gavaskar signed off by saying, “With Bumrah you can see that he expects the others to do what their job is, why they are in the national team, but he doesn’t seem to pressurize anybody. And with the fast bowlers, he’s been absolutely brilliant, standing at mid-off, mid-on, and every time just being at hand to tell them. I think he was absolutely brilliant, and I won’t be surprised if he takes over very soon.”
“He’s got a very good air about him, the air of a leader…
“I think he was absolutely brilliant, and I won’t be surprised if he takes over very soon.”
Sunil Gavaskar on the captaincy of Jasprit Bumrah 🗣 pic.twitter.com/s3TZnoKquR
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 8, 2025
Notably, Bumrah suffered a back spasm during the Sydney Test, and he is doubtful for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Bumrah has reportedly consulted Dr. Rowan Schouten, an orthopedic surgeon from New Zealand, regarding his latest injury. The surgeon is in contact with the BCCI’s medical team, and the national selectors are expected to be updated on the situation soon.