Australia's captain Pat Cummins (left) and Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah pose with the trophy at Optus Stadium in Perth. — AFP
India's Jasprit Bumrah has always relished being placed in challenging situations. After being appointed captain for the first match of a five-test series against Australia, the pace bowler has fully embraced the role. Bumrah was promoted to vice-captain before India's recent 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand and will lead the team in Perth while Rohit Sharma is on leave following the birth of his second child. Described by the regular captain as an essential part of India's leadership due to his deep understanding of the game, Bumrah expressed his excitement about bringing his unique approach to the captaincy.
"I thrive on responsibility. I've always wanted to take on tough tasks since I was young," the 30-year-old said on the eve of the test. "You always want to be in the midst of action. You want to be thrown into challenging scenarios. This is one of those situations. It presents a new challenge for me. I always aim to contribute more, whether Rohit is there or when Virat (Kohli) was leading." Bumrah emphasized that he cannot replicate the styles of his predecessors, both of whom have been highly successful. "I follow my instincts, and that's how I've always played my cricket." Rohit is expected to resume the captaincy before the second Test.
Pace bowlers leading the team are uncommon in modern cricket, but Bumrah noted that Pat Cummins has excelled in the role. "Pat has done an outstanding job. He's achieved a lot of success. There are many models to follow," he added. "You can draw inspiration from the past as well. Many players have done exceptionally well for India, including Kapil Dev." Bumrah hopes this marks the beginning of a new tradition where more players will take on leadership roles.
Bumrah mentioned that the team has moved past the disappointment of their New Zealand defeat and is approaching the series with a renewed mindset. "We always believe in our abilities and have confidence in our side, regardless of the situation. In terms of preparation, we are in a strong position," he said. "Now, it's about being mentally prepared, and we are aiming to do just that. Hopefully, everything will fall into place." India, who will also play Tests in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, have won their last four series against Australia both at home and away.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
