IND vs ENG: 'It's Incredible, Trend Is Changing': Mahela Jayawardene All Praise For India Test Captain Jasprit Bumrah
Published - 01 Jul 2022, 03:46 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:09 AM
For the first time in a long time, India’s Test squad will be coached by a fast bowler. After usual captain Rohit Sharma was ruled out due to covid-19, Jasprit Bumrah has been designated captain for the team’s rescheduled fifth Test against England, which begins on Friday in Birmingham.
Mahela Jayawardene, a legendary hitter, is pleased with the trend of fast bowlers being given the reins of a Test squad, which has traditionally been dominated by batters and all-arounders.
Mahela Jayawardene Pleased With Trend Of Fast Bowlers Becoming Captains
“I think it’s incredible if he (Bumrah) gets that opportunity. You rarely see fast bowlers being given that opportunity to captain because it’s a lot of hard work, especially whenever you are playing Test cricket,” remarked the legendary Sri Lankan batsman in a video released by the ICC on Friday.
“But we’ve seen the trend changing, with Pat Cummins taking over the Australian (Test) captaincy and it’s great to see a bowler doing the job.
They (bowlers) understand how the game flows, what needs to be done, and obviously your mind-set is to pick wickets… to be in a very positive mind frame. So, I think it will be brilliant (for Bumrah to be leading the Test side),” opined Jayawardene, who is also IPL franchise Mumbai Indians’ head coach.
Jasprit Bumrah Loves Test Cricket: Mahela Jayawardene
Bumrah is enamoured with red-ball cricket, according to Jayawardene, who has been engaging with the India bowler frequently at MI and revealed his love of Test cricket.
“It’s just the passion that he has to wear whites. We’ve had this conversation many years ago when he started playing Test cricket for India, and the more time we spent in the Mumbai (Indians) camp, it seems that Bumrah always wants to talk about red-ball cricket, he just loves it.
“It’s especially amazing that you come across fast bowlers who enjoy being out there playing Test cricket. It’s quite refreshing. He looks forward to each and every Test series. He doesn’t want to miss a single Test match for India, which is an asset to the country as he priorities his Test cricket very much,” added Jayawardene.
Also Read: ENG vs IND: Breaking News: BCCI Announces Squads For 3-match T20I Series Against England
