BGT 2024-25: What happened the last time Jasprit Bumrah led India in a Test match?
Seasoned pacer and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead India in the first Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth starting Friday, November 22. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the game since he has stayed back in India to be with his family following the birth of his second child. He is reportedly expected to join the Indian team in Perth on November 24.
Meanwhile, Bumrah will lead India for only the second time in Test cricket. He first captained India in red-ball cricket during the (rescheduled) Birmingham Test in July 2022. Rohit was ruled out of this match after testing positive for COVID-19. The visitors competed hard in the game but eventually lost the match by seven wickets.
England won the toss and elected to field first in the Birmingham Test. India recovered from a precarious 98-5 to post 416 courtesy of centuries from keeper-batter Rishabh Pant (146) and Ravindra Jadeja (104). Mohammed Siraj then claimed four wickets, while Bumrah picked up three as England were held to 284.
India came up with a disappointing batting effort in the second innings to be bowled out for 245. Cheteshwar Pujara top-scored with 66, while Pant hit 57, but the rest of the batters failed. For England, Ben Stokes picked up four wickets. Chasing a target of 378, the hosts got home in thumping fashion courtesy of Joe Root (142*) and Jonny Bairstow (114*).
"I have my own style" - Jasprit Bumrah opens up on leading India in 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
At a press conference ahead of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test against Australia in Perth, Bumrah termed it an honor to be leading the country, adding that his leadership style is different from that of Rohit and Virat Kohli.
"It is an honor. I have my own style. Virat was different, Rohit was different, and I have my own way. It is a privilege. I don't take it as a position. I love taking responsibility. I spoke with Rohit earlier. But I got a little bit of clarity on leading the side after coming in here," the 30-year-old pacer commented.
On the personal front, Bumrah has an impressive Test record in Australia. In seven matches Down Under, he has picked up 32 wickets at an average of 21.25, with a best of 6-33, which was registered in the 2018 Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.