Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif has opposed the idea of bowling star Jasprit Bumrah becoming the next captain of the Indian cricket team in the Test format. Mohammad Kaif’s reply followed the Men in Blue’s 3-1 loss to Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series.
Jasprit Bumrah captained India to their only win of the series in Perth, where they secured a convincing 295-run victory over Australia. He stepped in as captain for the fifth Test after Rohit Sharma was ruled out due to poor form. However, the team suffered a six-wicket defeat in Sydney, leading to a losing streak.
Jasprit Bumrah’s heavy workload in the BGT 2024-25 series has taken its toll
The pacer suffered a back spasm during the match in Sydney, forcing him to leave the field in Australia’s first innings. He returned to bat in India’s second innings but could not take the field in the final innings. Bumrah could take over the captaincy, with uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s future.
Bumrah’s heavy workload during the series took its toll. India struggled to give rest to their key pacer throughout the series. While early finishes in the first two games and a draw in Brisbane provided some flexibility, a 53-over spell in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne proved too much.
BCCI should think twice before appointing Bumrah as permanent captain – Mohammad Kaif
BCCI should think twice before appointing Bumrah as full-time captain. He must focus solely on scoring points and maintaining form. Added to the responsibility of leadership, getting carried away in the heat can result in injury and cut short an outstanding career. Don’t kill the golden goose.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) January 8, 2025
Mohammad Kaif took to his social media account X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his concern over the appointment of Jasprit Bumrah as the permanent captain of the Indian team. He urged the BCCI to think carefully before taking a decision.
The former India batsman said Bumrah should focus on taking wickets and maintaining his form, warning that the added responsibility of captaincy could lead to injuries. Kaif advised the Indian board not to risk the career of such an outstanding player.
“BCCI needs to think twice before appointing Bumrah as full-time captain. He must focus solely on getting wkts and maintaining form. Added responsibility of leadership, getting carried away in the heat can result in injuries and cut short an outstanding career. Don’t kill the golden goose,” Kaif wrote.
Bumrah bowled 151.2 overs in the series, but Mohammed Siraj (153.2), Mitchell Starc (157.1) and Pat Cummins (167) scored more. He finished as the leading wicket taker of the series, taking 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 and a strike rate of 28.38. Bumrah won the player of the series award.
Jasprit Bumrah must be Test captain – Sanjay Manjrekar
However, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has backed Jasprit Bumrah to take over, calling it a “no-brainer”. Manjrekar emphasized that Bumrah should be the captain for the upcoming series in England.
“It makes no sense to me. The next Test series is in England and Bumrah has to be the Test captain,” Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo, as quoted by India Today.
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