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 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Perth.
The world-class pacer was given the captaincy in the fifth and final Test but was injured in the first innings and could not play in the second innings as Australia won the New Year Test by six wickets to claim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy . 2024-25 against India at Sydney.
Sunil Gavaskar backs Jasprit Bumrah as India's future Test captain
Ahead of 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 due to COVID-19. He then became the first fast bowler to lead India since Kapil Dev, who last led India in 1987.
Bumrah was handed the Indian captaincy again in 2023 for India's tour of 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 failed to deliver as India's captain.
Has a very good air of leadership: Sunil Gavaskar on Jasprit Bumrah
Meanwhile, legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar praised Jasprit Bumrah for leading from the front in Australia, showing a natural aura of authority without putting unnecessary pressure on his teammates. Notably, Bumrah was named India's vice-captain for the 2024-25 BGT in Australia.
Sunil Gavaskar told 7Cricket: “He could be the next man up; I think he will be the next man because he leads from the front. He has a very good air about him, an air of a leader, but not someone who will put pressure on you. Sometimes you have captains who put a lot of pressure on you.”
I won't be surprised if he takes over very soon: Sunil Gavaskar
The former Indian captain believes that Bumrah's cool and calm approach makes him the ideal candidate to take over as Test captain soon. According to Gavaskar, Bumrah's excellent communication with the fast bowlers and his ability to guide them off the pitch, be it at mid-off or mid-on, further enhance his potential as a leader. With these outstanding qualities, Gavaskar predicted that Bumrah could soon be named India's next captain.
Sunil Gavaskar concluded by saying, “With Bumrah you can see that he expects others to do their job, why they are in the national team, but he doesn't seem to put pressure on anyone. And with the fast bowlers, he was absolutely brilliant, sitting in the middle, in the middle and every time just being there to tell them. I think he's been absolutely brilliant and I won't be surprised if he takes over very soon.”
“He has a very good air about him, an air of a leader…
“I think he's been absolutely brilliant and I won't be surprised if he takes over very soon.”
Sunil Gavaskar on Jasprit Bumrah's captaincy 🗣 pic.twitter.com/s3TZnoKquR
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 8, 2025
Notably, Bumrah suffered a back spasm during the Sydney Test and is doubtful for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Bumrah reportedly consulted Dr. Rowan Schouten, an orthopedic surgeon from New Zealand, on his latest injury. The surgeon is in touch with the BCCI medical team and the national selectors are expected to be apprised of the situation soon.