In a recent interview, Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah mentioned Kapil Dev and Imran Khan as examples of brave captains. This remark followed the BCCI captaincy snub, with Shubman Gill chosen as India’s vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is. The BCCI notably chose Gill over Bumrah. There are also rumors that Gill might take on a similar role in Test cricket.
Bumrah, already the vice-captain in red-ball cricket and a key player across all formats, faced a conspicuous snub for the vice-captaincy in white-ball formats, stirring up social media. In his interview, Bumrah subtly criticized the BCCI’s decision, highlighting that fast bowlers, given their challenges on the field, have the potential to be exceptional leaders. He cited Kapil Dev and Imran Khan, who led their teams to World Cup victories, as prime examples.
“Bowlers are the smart ones,” Bumrah said. “Leadership requires bravery. I’ve seen Pat Cummins doing really well, Wasim Akram leading teams, Kapil Dev winning the World Cup for India, and Imran Khan doing the same for Pakistan. Bowlers face continuous challenges, with shorter grounds and better bats, always in the firing line. These adversities make them smarter and braver.”
Despite his insights, Bumrah refrained from making any controversial statements about his exclusion from the vice-captaincy. “I don’t decide these things. I can’t insist on being made captain. It’s above my pay grade,” he concluded.
Notably, Bumrah has already demonstrated his leadership skills, having captained India in a Test match against England in 2022.
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