Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar recently lauded Jasprit Bumrah for his exceptional leadership during India’s commanding victory over Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Bumrah, serving as a stand-in skipper, orchestrated a clinical performance that saw India dominate the hosts in Perth, securing a massive 295-run win.
Sunil Gavaskar dismissed the outdated notion that fast bowlers lack the tactical acumen to be good captains. He pointed to legends like Kapil Dev and Imran Khan, both iconic fast bowlers and exceptional leaders, to reinforce his belief that Bumrah is well-suited for the captaincy role.
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“He’s only 30, so clearly he has shown that he can handle the pressures of captaincy. Today, the way he made those bowling changes proves he’s thinking deeply about his strategies. It’s a myth that fast bowlers can’t be good captains. That’s just nonsense,” Sunil Gavaskar told India Today. “In the subcontinent, we’ve had Imran Khan and Kapil Dev—both outstanding captains and world-class fast bowlers. Bumrah is proving that fast bowlers can excel in leadership roles.”
Sunil Gavaskar also urged fans to resist the temptation to compare Bumrah with past legends, instead encouraging everyone to appreciate his unique brilliance. Acknowledging the rich legacy of Indian bowlers like Kapil Dev, Gavaskar highlighted Bumrah’s ability to carve out his own space among the greats.
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“Let’s not make comparisons with legends of the past. Kapil Dev bowled India to numerous victories, and now we have another phenomenal bowler in Bumrah. We should celebrate his success,” he added. “While Australia’s pace attack was formidable, winning by a margin of 295 runs is extraordinary. This victory reflects Bumrah’s leadership and the team’s outstanding effort.”
Bumrah’s maturity and strategic acumen have reignited discussions about the value of having bowlers at the helm, with Gavaskar’s endorsement further solidifying Bumrah’s credentials as a capable leader.
