'He has got a good head on his shoulder' - Rohit Sharma on Jasprit Bumrah's captaincy prospects in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

India will play New Zealand in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru from October 16. India have unveiled the squad for the three-Test series and Mohammed Shami has not returned to the team as he continues his injury. But India will take a lot of heart from their premium pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s availability and the veteran is in impeccable form. 

Bumrah made a return to the Indian team with the Bangladesh series after a long gap since the T20 World Cup 2024 final. He picked 11 wickets in two Tests at an average of 12.82. He is expected to lead India against Australia as Rohit Sharma’s availability is uncertain. Ahead of the Bengaluru Test, Rohit noted that though Bumrah has least experience as captain, the pacer understands the game pretty well.

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"Bumrah has played a lot of cricket and I have played a lot of cricket with him. He understands the game pretty well. He has got a good head on his shoulder. Tactically, I can't say much because he has not captained much. He has captained one Test match and a couple of T20s, I guess. But look, when you talk to him, he understands the game. He understands what is required. When you are in a situation where you need a leader to step up, I think Bumrah will be one of them,” said Rohit.

It's probably the right thing to just have Bumrah around: Rohit

Bumrah led the team in the rescheduled Test against England in 2022. He even captained the T20I team when India toured Ireland for two T20Is. The India vice-captain in Tests is the most sought-after man for Rohit in crucial situations of any game. Speaking of his contributions, Rohit noted that the right-arm pacer has always been part of the leadership group and grooms newcomers.

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"So over the past, he has always been in our leadership group. You know, whether it is speaking to the bowlers who have just come into the squad. Whether it is just getting internally with the team to discuss about how to move forward as a team. So he has always been part of that leadership group. And yeah, I guess one of the experienced players as well. So it's probably the right thing to just have him around and speak to the bowlers. And internally discuss how to take the team forward," he added.