Bowlers can make very good captains, they are the smart ones: Bumrah

In recent times, Australia pacer Pat Cummins has tasted a lot of success as captain, having led his side to the World Cup and the World Test Championship (WTC) title. Moreover, he recently guided Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final. Contrary to popular belief, Cummins has shown that you can be a fast bowler, lead the side well and not allow his personal performance to dip. Drawing inspiration from Cummins, Kapil Dev, and Imran Khan - bowlers who have all won World Cups as captain - Jasprit Bumrah feels bowlers can make good captains as they are the smart ones.

"I feel bowlers are smart people, as we have to get the batters out. We are always fighting the odds as the grounds are shorter, the bats are better. I don’t remember any article or technology coming to swing the ball a lot more. People enjoy the ball being thrown around and enjoy sixes being hit,” Bumrah said at an event.

“Because bowlers are doing the hard job. They are not hiding behind a bat. They are not hiding behind a flat wicket. When you lose a game, bowlers are blamed. It is a hard job. I take a lot of pride doing that job. You have to face a lot of challenges. Because of these challenges, bowlers find new ways to succeed."

Bumrah is certainly one of the leading candidates to lead India in Tests once Rohit Sharma calls time on his career. He has been the lynchpin behind India's success over the last couple of years across formats, but injuries have often kept him out, and as a result, the team management will look to address managing his workload. 

“Fighting the odds make you a lot braver, leadership needs you to be brace. We have seen Pat Cummins doing really well. I have seen Wasim Akram captaining. Kapil Dev and Imran Khan have won a World Cup. Bowlers are the smart ones. Sometimes, physically it is stressful, that’s why leadership goes to batters. In my opinion, bowlers are the smart ones,” Bumrah added.

“Perception changes with results. I came from a perception that this bowling action will not work, but now people try to copy it. You don’t try to say things; you let your results talk. Pat Cummins is a big example. I got a lot of positive results. He won the World Cup and WTC. 

"I do not think it is a burden. When you play cricket, you want responsibility. You do not want to hide behind and be the backbencher. You have to be of the mindset that if you give me the ball, I will make the difference. I am of the opinion that there is no better thought than having responsibility. Injuries can happen to anyone.”

Bumrah also praised Rohit for his leadership, saying that the Mumbai batter has shown great empathy for the bowlers.

"Fast bowling is a tough job. It depends on how you are looking at it, whether it is a glass half full or completely full. The most important thing in cricket is captaining how you bowl and setting up fields. When the team is batting, you do not have to captain. You have to have empathy towards bowlers. Rohit is one of the few captains who has empathy towards bowlers despite being a batter. Bowlers can make very good captains, and they understand the sport,” Bumrah added.

Bumrah has been rested for the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, where India will play three T20 Internationals (T20I) and as many One-Day Internationals (ODI). He played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph in the US and Caribbean, finishing with 15 wickets at 8.26 with a miserly economy rate of 4.17.

He could return to the fold for the home series against Bangladesh, which consists of two Tests and three T20Is, starting September 19.

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