Dale Steyn calls for Jasprit Bumrah to takeover as India's Test captain from Rohit Sharma

Former South African cricketer Dale Steyn expressed confidence in the ability of fast bowlers to effectively lead a team. Dale Steyn also highlighted the challenges of captaincy for bowlers, including managing workload and making tactical decisions during matches.

Pat Cummins has proven to be an exceptional leader since assuming the captaincy of the Australia team in Tests and ODIs. Under his leadership, Australia secured victory in the ICC World Test Championship in 2023, and their sixth title in the ICC ODI World Cup.

Cummins has led Australia in 41 matches across formats. The right-arm pacer has also made significant contributions with the ball for the national team. The 30-year-old bowler has picked up 121 wickets, showcasing remarkable balance in fulfilling both roles effectively.

Fast Bowlers Are Very Good Thinkers – Dale Steyn

In a conversation with TimesofIndia.com, Dale Steyn emphasized the strategic prowess of bowlers, noting their understanding of the game. However, Steyn stressed the need to manage workload, injuries, and bowling decisions effectively.

“They (bowlers) are very good. I never captained South Africa. So, silly (laugh). Fast bowlers are very good thinkers. Bowlers are very good thinkers of the game. They read the players very well. It is a tougher one (in terms of captaincy). You should be able to manage your workload, injuries as well as when to bowl and when not to bowl,” Steyn told TimesofIndia.com.

South Africa Have Got A Gem In Someone Like Keshav Maharaj – Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn cited Australian skipper Pat Cummins as an example of a bowler successfully excelling as a captain, emphasizing Cummins’ impressive record in recent years. Steyn highlighted Keshav Maharaj’s potential to thrive in leadership roles.

“(Pat) Cummins has found this really good. If you look at his record in the last two years of captaining, he has won everything, he has taken five-wicket hauls, he is scoring runs, and he is making the right calls. It depends on the individuals but at the end of the day, it boils down to workload and injury. Fast bowlers are more injury-prone than the potential batters who captain the side,” Steyn added.

“South Africa have got a gem in someone like Keshav Maharaj. He is captaining Durban Supergiants at the moment and he is doing a wonderful job there. Yes, bowlers can make good captains,” he further stated.

Keshav Maharaj led the Durban Supergiants in the recent edition of the South Africa (SA20) league. The left-arm spinner guided the franchise to the finals of the tournament. However, the team failed to cross the finish line in the final against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

India’s pacer Jasprit Bumrah could be the right choice to succeed Rohit Sharma, similar to Cummins’ trajectory. Bumrah has demonstrated leadership abilities by captaining the Indian national team on three occasions and has taken an impressive tally of nine wickets.

Also read: Virat Kohli rejected as Wasim Akram, Dale Steyn and others pick openers for the best-ever IPL team