Former Australian captain Mitchell Johnson reckons Jasprit Bumrah should have continued as skipper after leading India to a big win against Australia in Perth. As Rohit Sharma missed the opening Test due to paternity leave, Bumrah led India to a gargantuan win of 295 runs.
The gun fast bowler led from the front, bagging 8-72 in the game to claim the Player of the Match award. However, Rohit Sharma led India in the next three Test matches but the tourists suffered two losses to trail 1-2 in the series before SCG Test.
Johnson noted that Bumrah was brilliant as a leader in the opening Test but he observed a change in momentum when Rohit returned as captain. Before the Test series, legendary Sunil Gavaskar had also suggested that Jasprit Bumrah should lead the team in all five Test matches if Rohit Sharma is unavailable for the opening Test.
In his column for the Nightly, Johnson wrote, “Jasprit Bumrah stepped up not just as a fast bowler but also took the reins as captain, making the bold choice to bat first on what many considered a favourable bowling pitch. This decision was a clear indication of India’s positive mindset and may have caught Australia off guard.”
“And I mentioned to a few cricket buddies that it might have benefited India to maintain Bumrah as captain. This wasn’t meant to disrespect Rohit Sharma, who has a solid record, but I noticed a shift in momentum when Sharma returned with his different leadership style.”
On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah had a sensational series, picking 32 wickets in five Test matches at 13.06. But India’s pack leader could not bowl in the second innings at the SCG due to a back injury and Johnson noted that Bumrah ran out of steam when India needed him as he was the lone warrior for the visitors.
“While Bumrah was a deserved man of the series for his remarkable 32 wickets at 13.06, Australia boasted a bowling attack that didn’t rely heavily on any one individual. Bumrah took on a substantial bowling load for India and it eventually caught up with him. He seemed to run out of stamina just when India needed that last push in the final innings in Sydney. The Bumrah injury likely cost them as Australia chased 162 to win but we can never know for sure.”
India will next take on England in three ODIs and five T20Is.
