Team India’s first World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev, has backed Jasprit Bumrah despite the concerns over his fitness, saying that the fast bowler has consistently delivered for India when it mattered most. He said after Bumrah had a disappointing outing against England on Day 3 of the fourth Test in Manchester on Saturday, July 26.

Speaking at the PGTI Schedule announcement, Kapil Dev said, as quoted by PTI, “I think everybody is different. Times have changed, bodies are different. They are working differently. It is difficult to judge. Yes, he is one of the fast bowlers we have, but his action is so awkward, and it is difficult to sustain. We didn’t think he would be able to play this far because he puts too much stress on the body. But still, he is delivering to the Indian team. So hats off to him.”

READ HERE: “The reality is I was tired” – Jasprit Bumrah on not celebrating five-fer

Kapil Dev also backed Shubman Gill, who is currently the new India Test captain after Rohit Sharma. Gill’s captaincy has come under the scanner after India’s poor show in Manchester, but Kapil Dev urged patience, reminding everyone that this is Gill’s first assignment as Test captain as well.

“Give him time. This is his first series; he will commit mistakes and there will be many positives over the period of time, he will learn. There is no problem if he is learning. There will be mistakes, but he is learning from his mistakes—that is very important,” he said.

“This is a young team, they are getting the opportunity to play and in the coming days these players will win. It is just a new team. Any new team in the world takes time to adjust. Gill is a new captain, and he will learn a lot and I think this series will be a learning step,” Kapil Dev concluded.