Sunil Gavaskar has heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, calling him a “team-man” and a “selfless cricketer,” especially in light of his decision to step aside from Test captaincy considerations due to his ongoing back issues. With India set to tour England later this year, the baton of leadership has been handed to young Shubman Gill, and Gavaskar believes Bumrah’s maturity played a vital role in this transition.

In his column for MidDay, Gavaskar revealed that Bumrah himself informed selectors that he might not be available for every Test due to his recurring back troubles. This honesty allowed the selectors to move forward decisively with Gill as the new red-ball skipper.

“Bumrah will be at hand for Gill to lean on,” Sunil Gavaskar wrote. “He’ll also take charge of the bowling unit as they work out strategies to dismantle England’s batting.”

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Bumrah’s importance to India’s Test setup is well known. During the challenging 2023-24 Australia tour, he picked up 32 wickets across just under five Tests. But that heroic effort came at a cost. Bumrah left the final Test in Sydney nursing a back injury that would sideline him for over three months. It was a clear sign that the relentless workload was beginning to take a toll.

Despite the physical setbacks, Bumrah’s stature in international cricket only grew. He was named the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024, underlining his consistent brilliance. He also spearheaded India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in the Americas, claiming 11 wickets in crucial games.

His workload, however, reached its peak during the Melbourne Test, where a visibly fatigued Bumrah was caught on the stump mic saying, “Bas ab nahi lag raha zor,” a rare moment of vulnerability from the ever-reliable speedster.

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After a much-needed recovery break, Bumrah was declared fit and rejoined the Mumbai Indians midway through the IPL season. Since his return, he has looked refreshed and lethal, climbing back up the wicket-taking charts with typical rhythm and control. While he may no longer be India’s Test captain-in-waiting, his presence will remain invaluable, both as a bowler and as a mentor for the new leadership.