When selectors picked Shubhman Gill as Rohit Sharma’s successor as Indian Test captain, following the 38-year-old’s retirement from the format ahead of the upcoming five-match series in England, plenty of questions were raised as to whether Jasprit Bumrah was overlooked for the role.
Speaking for the first time ahead of the England tour, Bumrah revealed that even before Rohit and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from Tests, he had informed the BCCI not to consider him for leadership roles because of a long-standing back issue that requires him to manage his workload.
Bumrah, who has captained in three Tests in a stop-gap arrangement in the past, has shown tactical acumen that can be considered for the long run. But following a relapse of his back injury during the series in Australia in January, the fast bowler explained how the succession decision panned out, as at one point, the BCCI was seriously looking at him for captaincy.
“There’s no fancy stories to it. There is no controversy or there are no headlining statements that I was sacked or I was not looked after,” Bumrah told Sky Sports. “Before Rohit and Virat retired during the IPL, I had spoken to the BCCI. I had discussed my workload going forward in a five Test match series. I spoke to the surgeon, who told me to be smart about the workload. So I did speak to him and then we came to a conclusion that I have to be a little more smart. So then I called the BCCI and said I don’t want to be looked at for a leadership role. Because I won’t be able to play all matches in a five -match series. So yes, the BCCI was looking at me, but then I had to say no, because it’s not fair for the team as well as you know in a five-match series, three matches somebody else is leading, two matches, somebody else. It’s not fair on the team,” Bumrah explained.
