"Virat was different, Rohit was different, and I have my own way"- Jasprit Bumrah on captaining India in 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Team India's stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah said it would be an honor to lead the side in the first Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Perth on November 22. However, he mentioned his leadership style is different from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Regular skipper Rohit will miss the opening Test due to the birth of his second child but is expected to return for the second Test in Adelaide. Meanwhile, Bumrah has captained India only once in Tests, during Rohit's absence in the fifth Test in England in 2022.
While the ace pacer impressed with the ball in that encounter, India suffered a seven-wicket defeat.
Speaking to the reporters about leading the side on the eve of the first Test, Bumrah said (via RevSportz Global on X):
"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."
Kohli was the Indian skipper when the side won their first-ever Test series Down Under in 2018-19. Meanwhile, Rohit led the side in their most recent Test series win over Australia at home last year.
"I have always advocated for pacers being captains" - Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah believes pacers are the best captaincy options due to their tactical skills. He pointed to current Aussie skipper Pat Cummins and India's 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev as examples of pacers making for successful captains.
"I have always advocated for pacers being captains. They are tactically better. Pat (Cummins) has done a phenomenal job. There are a lot of models in the past as well. Kapil Dev and lot of other captains in the past. Hopefully a start of a new tradition," Bumrah said.
Cummins has led Australia to incredible success across formats. Under his leadership, the Aussies won the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship (WTC) last year.
Meanwhile, Bumrah has tasted success as captain at the T20I level, leading Team India to a 2-0 series win over Ireland last year.