There were a lot of speculations doing the rounds regarding India’s Test captaincy. Jasprit Bumrah was the clear favourite, having led the team in Australia. Even former players wanted the fast bowler to lead India. In fact, even the BCCI was considering Bumrah for the role, but he ruled himself out of the race. Shubman Gill became the new Test captain. While many thought that it was the BCCI which made the call, Bumrah has cleared the air ahead of the IND vs ENG Test series.
In a conversation with former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik, Jasprit Bumrah explained why he did not become the Test captain. With recurring back injuries, Bumrah could play the five-match Test series. He could only play three of them in England. Hence, he decided to pull out of the race so that Team India would not suffer.
There are no fancy stories to it, no controversies or no headlining statements, or I was sacked or I was not looked after. Before Rohit and Virat retired during the IPL, I had spoken to the BCCI about my workload in a five-match Test series. I called the BCCI and told them that I do not want to be looked at in a leadership role,” Jasprit Bumrah told Dinesh Karthik in a Sky Sports Cricket interview.
Bumrah’s history of injuries
With two back surgeries for a stress fracture, Jasprit Bumrah, the arguably best bowler in the world, is in a tight spot. Another surgery could potentially end his cricket career forever. Before the IPL 2025, Bumrah missed two months of action as he was recovering from another back injury. He missed out on the ICC Champions Trophy as India lifted the trophy without him. Thus, Bumrah consulted the surgeon and physiotherapists to conclude that it he would not be able to play five Tests in England.
“I had spoken to people who had managed my back (injury), including the surgeon as well. He had always told me how smart I had to be about the workload. So, we came to the conclusion that I have to be a little smarter. I won’t be able to play all the Test matches. Then, BCCI was looking at me for a leadership role. But I said, it’s not fair for the team. You can’t have a captain for a five-match Test series and a different one for a three or two-match Test series,” Bumrah said.
Bumrah led India in three Tests, including two in Australia, winning the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, despite being the frontrunner, he scarificed his captaincy aspirations for the team.
Former India cricketer Yograj Singh blamed gymming for frequent injuries to cricketers, including Bumrah. The pacer suffered his first stress fracture in 2019, ruling him out for almost a year.
“I am shocked that cricketers go to the gym. Today, youngsters are going to the gym. That is why we have injuries. I can say that about 30-40 years ago, injuries were zero. Because in cricket, you need a very flexible, gymnast-like body. Do things with bodyweight like pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and core (work). But please, for God’s sake, stop sending cricketers to the gym,” Yograj Singh to InsideSport in an exclusive chat.
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