Bengaluru, Oct 15 – India’s captain Rohit Sharma has backed Jasprit Bumrah’s appointment as vice-captain for the upcoming three-Test series against New Zealand, highlighting the pacer’s integral role in the leadership group and his deep understanding of the game.
Bumrah’s elevation to vice-captaincy comes as a surprise, especially since India did not have a designated deputy for Rohit during the recent series against Bangladesh. This decision is seen as a potential move toward Bumrah stepping into the captaincy role during the upcoming tour to Australia, especially with reports indicating that Rohit may miss at least one Test due to personal reasons.
“Bumrah has played a lot of cricket, and I’ve played a lot of cricket with him. He understands the game well and has a good head on his shoulders. When you talk to him, he gets it,” Rohit stated during a pre-match press conference, which was interrupted by rain affecting India’s training session.
While Bumrah has limited captaincy experience, having led India in a rescheduled Test against England in 2022 and in a couple of T20Is against Ireland last year, Rohit expressed confidence in his capabilities. “He understands what is required. When the team needs a leader to step up, Bumrah will be one of them. He has always been a part of our leadership group,” Rohit added.
Rohit noted that the 29-year-old pacer has naturally transitioned into a mentoring role for younger bowlers in the squad. “Whether it’s guiding newcomers or discussing strategies with the team, he’s consistently involved in our leadership discussions,” Rohit said. “Having him around to talk to the bowlers and help chart the team’s progress is the right move.”
