Jasprit Bumrah as India's next Test captain? 'No bigger feeling,' he says

Ahead of first ODI on Wednesday, India’s vice-captain insists he’s prepared for leadership role and is keen to contribute under stand-in skipper KL Rahul

Around 48 hours after India Test captain Virat Kohli stepped down from his position, the team’s stand-in vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah has said that he will not hesitate to shoulder the responsibility of skipper if given the opportunity in future. However, the speedster made it clear that he is not aiming for that captaincy role.

“I am ready to contribute in whatever position and whatever way I can to the team. If given the opportunity [to lead], of course I would think about it, but that is something I don’t chase. I can contribute, and having a post or not, doesn’t really matter. If given the opportunity…it’s an honour and there is no bigger feeling than that [captaincy],” Bumrah, 28, said during a virtual press conference on Monday.

‘Respect Kohli’s decision’

Kohli announced his decision to step down from the Test captaincy on Saturday, after India’s 1-2 series defeat to SA. And Bumrah revealed that Kohli broke the news to the players during a meeting. “It’s his [Kohli] decision. He knows his body. He knows his frame of mind. We respect that. It’s been a pleasure to play under his captaincy. He brought in energy. He brought in the fitness culture. He was driven. 

Everybody moved in one direction under his leadership. He has been immense and he will still be immense with his inputs,” said Bumrah, who was named stand-in vice-captain for the second Test against the Proteas in Johannesburg after Kohli had to pull out due to a back spasm. Bumrah, 28, will continue to be stand-in captain KL Rahul’s deputy in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, beginning in Paarl on Wednesday. 

The Gujarat pacer, who has 113 Test wickets from 27 matches, 108 ODI scalps in 67 games and 66 dismissals in 55 T20Is under his belt, assured Rahul of his full support, both as deputy as well as being the key bowler in the side.

‘My role doesn’t change’

“For me, the role doesn’t change at all. I have to do my job first, trying to contribute as much as I can. Will help KL if he needs any assistance on the field…sharing a bowler’s mindset, what kind of field can be set, that’s something I always look to do, even if I am not the vice-captain. There is no specific role or added pressure that I’m going to take. It’s about helping KL in any way possible and trying to keep a calm head,” said Bumrah, who made his Test debut under Kohli against SA at Cape Town in 2018.

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