Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has raised concerns that if Jasprit Bumrah captains India in the first Test and secures a lead, Rohit Sharma’s position as team captain could be in jeopardy. Clarke hinted that Bumrah’s strong performance in the opening game in Perth might shift the leadership dynamic upon Rohit’s expected return.
Clarke’s Support for Bumrah as Leading Wicket-Taker
Clarke, who previously led Australia to a World Cup victory, believes Bumrah is poised to be India’s top wicket-taker in the Test series. However, he also expressed concerns for Rohit, suggesting that a stellar showing from Bumrah in Perth might lead to questions about whether Rohit should retain the captaincy.
While Bumrah has only captained India once in Tests—against England in Birmingham two years ago when Rohit was sidelined by COVID-19—he has since led India in two T20 internationals against Ireland, both resulting in victories. Despite this limited leadership experience, some believe Bumrah may again step up as captain, especially in Rohit’s absence, making this his second Test as captain if he is given the role.
A Familiar Scenario Echoes in 2020/21 Series
This situation mirrors the 2020/21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy when then-deputy Ajinkya Rahane took over after Virat Kohli returned home post-Adelaide Test. Rahane’s leadership helped India secure a historic series win in Australia. In the current series, however, Rohit is expected to rejoin the squad for the second Test in Adelaide, slated to be a pink-ball, day-night match.
Clarke Believes Captaincy Will Push Bumrah to Excel
According to Clarke, the added responsibility of captaincy will elevate Bumrah’s performance, helping him thrive under pressure. Clarke stated that if Bumrah’s leadership brings India success in Perth, it may cast doubt on Rohit’s captaincy for the remainder of the series. He noted, “Bumrah… leading wicket-taker for India. I believe that the expectations surrounding him will motivate him to excel. Some players might shrink from this, but I think it will push him forward. If he captains the first Test, he’ll want to lead by example, and if I were Rohit Sharma, I’d be feeling nervous about coming to Australia.”
Key Players: Clarke Sees Kohli and Pant as Crucial to India’s Victory Hopes
Clarke also highlighted that beyond Bumrah, the form of Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant will be essential if India aims to secure their third consecutive Test series win in Australia. Kohli’s exceptional record in Australia, along with Pant’s unforgettable performances during the previous series, make them pivotal players.
“Virat Kohli’s record in Australia is outstanding. I think it might even surpass his record in India. He has six centuries in just 13 Tests on Australian soil. For India to win this series, Kohli needs to be the top run-scorer, with Rishabh Pant close behind,” added Clarke, who led Australia to the 2015 World Cup title and captained the side the last time they won a Test series against India.
Clarke’s insights emphasize the strategic importance of leadership, player form, and individual performances as India prepares for a critical series in Australia.
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