India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead the team in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, kicking off in Perth on Friday. Speaking at the pre-match press conference at Optus Stadium, Bumrah exuded confidence in his side’s preparation and readiness to tackle the challenges of a competitive five-match Test series against a strong Australian team.
Jasprit Bumrah emphasized that the team has worked hard to acclimatize to Australian conditions, particularly the bouncy pitches of Perth. “We are prepared. We came in early and trained at the WACA. When we came here for the first time, we did well, so the onus is on the youngsters to step up and take responsibility,” he said.
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On former Indian captain Virat Kohli, who has faced criticism due to inconsistent form, Jasprit Bumrah was unequivocal in his support. “I don’t need to give Kohli any inputs; I made my debut under him. One series can go up and down, but he remains confident,” he remarked, showcasing faith in Kohli’s ability to bounce back.
Filling in as captain for Rohit Sharma, who will miss the match to be with his family after the birth of his child, Bumrah expressed his enthusiasm for the leadership role.
“The coach and management gave me clarity that I will be leading the side. I’ve done it before, and I’m looking forward to the responsibility,” he stated. This will be Bumrah’s second stint as captain, having previously led India in the rescheduled 2022 Test against England at Edgbaston.
India comes into the series on the back of a disheartening 0-3 Test series loss at home against New Zealand. However, Bumrah remained optimistic, emphasizing the team’s resilience.
“The beauty of cricket is that every game starts from zero. We’ve taken lessons from the New Zealand series, but conditions here are different, and we are confident of a positive start,” he said. While keeping the playing XI under wraps, Bumrah assured that the final selection will be revealed before the match begins.
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Reflecting on the broader impact of fast bowlers as captains, Jasprit Bumrah highlighted their tactical acumen, drawing parallels with the success of Australian captain Pat Cummins. “I’ve always advocated for pacers as captains. They bring unique insights. Pat has done a phenomenal job, and we’ve seen models like Kapil Dev succeed in the past. Hopefully, this begins a new tradition,” he said.
With a “spicy wicket” expected in Perth, Bumrah concluded by affirming that the team has trained specifically for the fast and bouncy conditions, signaling India’s readiness to take on the Aussies in what promises to be a thrilling Test series.
