Why Bumrah Should Lead India

India's bowling hero has made his mark as a leader too and not handing the job over fitness concerns alone will be harsh

- Sanjeev K Samyal

MUMBAI: In November 2021, Pat Cummins was named the 47th Australia Test team captain, making him the first fast bowler to be appointed to the post.

It was a step into the unknown for Australian cricket. Like with all fast bowlers, the main doubt was whether Cummins' body would be able to bear the bowling workload for him to be the long-term captaincy option, even be available for a full five-Test series.

Four seasons on, Cricket Australia can look back with pride at what has proved a masterstroke. Under Cummins, the team has gone from strength to strength, and without performances being overshadowed by controversies. He won his first Test as skipper against a strong England at home, followed by a historic Test series win in Pakistan. The icing on the cake was the World Test Championship (WTC) final win and the ODI World Cup triumph, both against India, in 2023.

Indian cricket officials face a similar dilemma. In ace fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, they have an excellent candidate for Test captaincy. But given the demands of fast bowling, can the decision-makers take a punt like Australia did?

When Indian selectors sit down to decide on Rohit Sharma's successor for next month's five-Test series in England, can they ignore Bumrah's credentials over fitness concerns?