Jasprit Bumrah Chooses Fitness Over Leadership

Jasprit Bumrah has decided to step down from leadership roles in Team India. The star fast bowler asked the BCCI not to consider him for Test captaincy. He needs to focus on managing his fitness, especially his back problems.

Shubman Gill Steps Up as Captain

After Rohit Sharma retired from Test cricket, the BCCI chose Shubman Gill to lead the team. Gill will captain the five-match series against England starting June 20 in Leeds. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that adding the captain’s role would put too much pressure on Bumrah.

Focusing on Fitness

Bumrah, aged 31, consulted with doctors and his surgeon. He decided it was best to focus on his fitness.

Bumrah captained two Test matches in Australia in 2024 when Rohit was unavailable. However, he suffered a serious back injury in the final Test. This injury kept him out of action for three months.

Bumrah, who won the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2024, has faced several back issues. He even had surgery in 2023. He believes a Test captain must be fully fit.

Clearing Up Misunderstandings

Dinesh Karthik spoke on Sky Sports. He said many people, including himself, were confused. They wondered why the BCCI did not choose Jasprit Bumrah as the Test captain.

Bumrah clarified, “There is no controversy. There is no ‘headlining’ statement that I was sacked or I was not looked after.”

Bumrah had spoken to the BCCI before Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket.

“I came to the conclusion that I have to be a little smarter. So, I called the BCCI and said ‘I don’t want to be looked at in a leadership role’ because I won’t be able to play all Test matches,” Bumrah explained.

“It’s not fair to the team if in a five-test series, three matches somebody else is leading and two matches somebody else is leading. I always wanted to put the team first,” he added.

Fans React on Social Media

Social media reacted to his justification. Fans expressed their admiration for Bumrah’s decision.

• “Bro is the real definition of selfless. No paid PRs, only facts and pure dedication towards the country. Hats off to him.”
• “Bumrah, the respect for you increased a lot when I understood you are trying to offer to our country as much as possible in all the 3 formats. Try to win India a few more trophies. Jai Hind…”
• “I pray that he plays for another 5/6 years. All Format GOAT for a reason…”
• “Love Bumrah in that he never indulges in PR pushes that a few other batsmen do. Performance is the best PR push.”