On Thursday, India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah said that his side is not carrying any baggage from its historic 0-3 setback at home to New Zealand as it prepares for a difficult Test series against close rivals Australia. Bumrah took over as captain for the series opener as Rohit Sharma was forced to skip the match owing to the birth of his baby boy. While it is unusual to see bowlers take on leadership roles, Bumrah believes they are ‘tactically better’ than hitters and should be given more leadership responsibilities.
“It’s an honor. I have my style. Virat and Rohit were distinct. I have my method. It’s a privilege. I do not take it as a position. I enjoy taking responsibility. I chatted with Rohit earlier. But after coming in here, I got a little more understanding of how to lead the team,” Bumrah said at a press conference on the evening of the Perth Test.
“I have always advocated for pacers to be captains.” They are tactically superior. Pat has done an excellent job. There have also been several previous models. Kapil Dev and many other captains in the past. “Hopefully, the beginning of a new tradition.” The five-match Test series begins here on Friday.
“When you win, you start from zero; when you lose, you also begin from zero. We are not carrying any baggage from India. Yes, we learned from the New Zealand series. Still, those were different conditions, and our performances here have been different,” said Bumrah, who is heading the opening Test in place of Rohit Sharma, who is on paternity leave.
Bumrah also stated that the team has selected its playing XI, which he will divulge only at the toss. “We have settled on our playing XI that you will get to know them the morning before the start of the match,”