Australian cricket legend Allan Border has heaped praise on pacer Jasprit Bumrah, calling him “the best option” to lead the Indian cricket team as captain.
Reflecting on Bumrah’s leadership qualities, Border highlighted the pacer’s strong potential, demonstrated in the five matches he has captained so far.
In a recent statement to an Indian media outlet, Border said: “He (Bumrah) will do a very good job. In Perth he used himself appropriately. In terms of captaincy, the way he prepared the pitches – you couldn’t fault him.”
The 31-year-old recently led Team India to a stunning 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, replacing regular captain Rohit Sharma.
The right-hand pacer had previously led the Indian team to a 2-0 victory over Ireland in a three-match T20I series in 2023, with the third game abandoned due to rain.
The former captain who led Australia in 93 Tests during his illustrious career acknowledged the unique challenges faced by pacers in leadership roles.
“It’s hard because once you’re done you have to get down to rest and have a drink! As a captain, you can’t do that. You need to be in the middle, commanding the field. Bumrah did well. He is aggressive as a bowler but not that aggressive as a person. He always has that smile on his face too,” Border said.
Bumrah continued to impress with the ball in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, taking 21 wickets in three matches.
Border praised Bumrah’s unique skill set, saying, “Bumrah, currently, is on that pedestal. Their wrists, their release points – they are different from other bowlers. Because of this hyperextension, he releases the ball one foot lower than the others. He has a unique shuffling motion and then the snap of his wrists – it’s incredible. Being different, as well as having that ability, puts you on a whole different level of difficulty as a hitter.”
It is pertinent to mention that the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is delicately balanced at 1-1 after the third Test ended in a draw due to rain.
India clinched the opening Test with a stunning 295-run victory, while Australia responded with a 10-wicket win in the second match.
The decisive fourth Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26 to 30.
