Cricketer Jasprit Bumrah finally opened up about his decision to decline India’s Test captaincy, revealing that he was the first choice of the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, but had to turn it down due to workload. Following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from red-ball cricket, the selectors named Shubman Gill as the Test captain for the England tour. Bumrah, who had served as vice-captain and even led India in three Tests in Rohit’s absence, was seen as a potential successor—until a persistent back injury played the spoil sport.
In an interview with former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik for SKY Sports, Bumrah explained that he had already spoken to BCCI and the team’s medical staff about his fitness even before Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirements. “Before Rohit and Virat retired during the IPL, I had spoken to the BCCI about my workloads going forward in a five-Test match series,” Bumrah said. “I’ve spoken to the people who have managed my back. I’ve spoken to the surgeon as well, who’s always spoken to me about how smart you have to be about the workloads.”
His decision to refuse captaincy was guided by medical advice which cautioned him against overexerting his body, especially given his history of injuries. “We came to the conclusion that I have to be a little smarter,” Bumrah said. “So then I called the BCCI and said I don’t want to be looked at in a leadership role because I won’t be able to give all the Test matches in a five-test match series.”
Bumrah also stated that it wouldn’t be fair to the team to have two different captains across a single series. “Yes, the BCCI was looking at me for leadership. But then I had to say, no, that it’s not fair for the team as well, that, you know, a five-Test match series, three matches, somebody else is leading, two matches, somebody else is leading. It’s not fair to the team. And I always wanted to put the team first.”
Despite missing some crucial tournaments due to injury such as the Champions Trophy and the early weeks of the IPL, Bumrah still remains India’s premier fast bowler. “I love cricket more than captaincy,” he said. “Even if me being there as a player offers a lot more, just not as a captain… I could help in whatever way I can.”
“Captaincy meant a lot. I had worked very hard for it,” he admitted. “But unfortunately, sometimes you have to look after the bigger picture.”
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