Jasprit Bumrah Explains His Decision to Decline Test Captaincy for India
Bumrah's Decision on Captaincy
With the five-match Test series set to commence in just three days at Headingley, there has been considerable discussion among fans and cricket analysts regarding Shubman Gill's appointment as India's Test captain. Many are questioning the decision, especially with seasoned players like Jasprit Bumrah, who previously showcased strong leadership during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, not being selected for the role. Bumrah has now clarified his reasons for stepping back from the captaincy.
“Before Rohit and Virat retired, I had a conversation with the BCCI during the IPL about managing my workload for the upcoming five-match Test series. After discussions with my support team regarding my back, we concluded that it would be wise for me to decline the leadership role. I informed the BCCI that I wouldn't be able to participate in all the Test matches. It wouldn’t be fair for the team if one player led for three matches and another took over for the rest, so I prioritized the team's needs,” Bumrah shared with Sky Sports Cricket.
Injury Management for Jasprit Bumrah
It has been confirmed that Bumrah will only participate in three of the Test matches due to necessary workload management. He suffered a lower-back injury during the final Test against Australia in the January 2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which forced him to withdraw mid-session in Sydney.
Following the injury, he underwent scans and was advised to rest, resulting in a nearly four-month absence from cricket, including missing the Champions Trophy and the start of the IPL season. Currently, Bumrah is undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence and has resumed bowling at the NCA in Bengaluru, where his fitness is being closely monitored to prevent any further strain on his back.