Kapil Dev on Jasprit Bumrah’s Captaincy: ‘Too Early to Judge, Let Him Face Challenges’

New Delhi, December 9: Amid discussions about the future of Indian cricket captaincy, former cricketer Kapil Dev has weighed in on whether Jasprit Bumrah is the right choice to succeed Rohit Sharma when the time comes. Kapil believes it is premature to decide based on a handful of performances and emphasized the importance of evaluating leadership during challenging times.

Bumrah’s Captaincy So Far

Jasprit Bumrah recently captained India in the Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, leading the team to a record-breaking 295-run victory over Australia in Rohit Sharma’s absence. This marked his second stint as captain, the first being a loss to England at Birmingham in 2022.

India entered the series opener at Optus Stadium with confidence, delivering a commanding win to take a 1-0 lead. However, Australia struck back in Adelaide, securing a dominant 10-wicket victory to level the series at 1-1.

As speculation grows about Rohit’s future as captain, some fans have voiced support for Bumrah as a potential successor. However, Kapil Dev cautioned against drawing conclusions too quickly.

Kapil Dev’s Take on Leadership

Speaking at an event, Kapil remarked, “I think it is too early to talk about that. With one performance, you can’t say he is one of the best, and with one bad performance, you can’t say he doesn’t deserve it. Let the player play a lot of cricket. There will be ups and downs. Then you judge how he reacts during difficult times.”

Kapil emphasized the importance of assessing a player’s leadership based on how they handle adversity rather than moments of triumph.

India’s Road Ahead in the BGT

With the series tied, the upcoming Brisbane Test will test India’s resilience as they aim for a historic hat-trick of Border-Gavaskar Trophy wins in Australia. Reflecting on India’s potential response to the Adelaide defeat, Kapil expressed confidence in the Rohit-led side, saying, “Yes, they will come back.”

The Brisbane Test, starting December 14, is expected to be a high-stakes encounter that will shape the outcome of the series and India’s standing in the ICC World Test Championship. As the team prepares, the debate over leadership continues, but for now, Rohit Sharma remains at the helm, with Jasprit Bumrah emerging as a capable deputy and future prospect.

Conclusion

Kapil Dev’s insights highlight the need for patience and a measured approach in evaluating leadership potential. As India looks to bounce back in Brisbane, the focus remains on team performance and the ability of players like Rohit and Bumrah to inspire under pressure.