‘At least you say fast bowler captain’ – Jasprit Bumrah corrects the reporter addressing him as ‘medium pacer’. (Source – Getty Images)
India will be taking on Australia in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22. India captain, Rohit Sharma, has opted for a leave citing familial reasons as the Sharma couple welcomed their second child. He is expected to join the squad ahead of the second Test on Adelaide. In the Rohit’s absence, Bumrah is poised to take the leadership mantle in the first Test. It is worth noting that the pacer is also the vice-captain of the side in the longest format of the game.
This is the second Test Bumrah will be captaining for India. He earlier led the side in the rescheduled Test against England in 2022. Ahead of the Perth Test, at the press conference, Bumrah was asked about his feeling of being a medium-pace all-rounder and captaining the Indian team. Bumrah was quick to correct the reporter and asked him to address him as the fast bowler a-least and cited that he bowls at around 150 kmph.
Also Read: Star India batter Virat Kohli’s record in Australia ahead of BGT 2024-25
Here’s Bumrah’s interaction:
Question – How does it feel to captain India as a medium-pace all-rounder?
Jasprit Bumrah – Yaar, I can bowl 150kmph, at least you say fast bowler captain (laughs).
I’m one of the advocates of fast-bowling captains: Bumrah
Bumrah has previously been vocal about his desire to lead the Indian side. Other than the Test against England, he has led the side against the Ireland in T20I series after his comeback from the injury. The star India pacer, reiterated his previous examples of Kapil Dev and Pat Cummins who fall under his arena of playing, and termed himself of advocate of such perspective. “I’ve been one of the advocates – there are many examples, fast bowlers are smart. Pat has been successful, Kapil Dev did it earlier – hopefully this is the start of a new trend,” Bumrah added.