Captain Bumrah: What happened when the pacer last led India in a Test match

With Rohit Sharma ruled out of the Perth Test—the opener of the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT)—vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is set to step into the captaincy role. This will mark only the second time Bumrah leads India in Test cricket, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a spot in the World Test Championship Final on the line, the series opener holds immense significance for India’s campaign.

India heads into the BGT carrying the scars of a humiliating 3-0 home Test series defeat against New Zealand. This recent whitewash has left the team’s morale dented, while the absence of Rohit in the opener spot and the injury to Shubman Gill further complicate their preparations. Bumrah now faces the dual challenge of lifting his team’s spirits and ensuring a strong start in a high-stakes encounter. Although India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, revealed that the experienced pacer himself wanted to take over the side’s responsibilities, the pressure of the scenario would stand the same.

“Jassi is a guy who immediately put his hands up and wanted the leadership role. He has been very successful in the past, he knows what to expect, and he speaks well in the dressing room. He is a guy who will lead from the front with the ball in hand and younger guys will follow him,” Morkel said in the pre-match press conference.

The significance of the Perth Test raises even higher with the fact that the match will see two of the world’s current top-rated pacers in Bumrah and Pat Cummins will lead both India and Australia respectively.

Bumrah’s last Test as skipper: As it happened

The last time Jasprit Bumrah captained India was in the fifth Test against England in Birmingham in 2022, a role he assumed after Rohit Sharma tested positive for COVID-19. Despite the leadership change, Bumrah’s debut as skipper showcased mixed fortunes.

India, put into bat after losing the toss, endured a tough start as James Anderson tore through the top order with a five-wicket haul. The visitors stumbled early but found salvation in the form of Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, who both smashed centuries. Their counterattacking knocks pushed India to an imposing first-innings total of 416.

India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, delivered a strong performance, bundling out England for 284 and earning a 132-run lead. The Indian pacers were relentless, with Bumrah leading the attack with discipline and aggression.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the fourth innings. Despite Cheteshwar Pujara’s second-innings half-century and another fine effort by Pant, India set England a daunting target of 378 runs. England, spearheaded by unbeaten centuries from Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, executed a record-breaking chase with ease, leaving India stunned and Bumrah with a bittersweet captaincy debut.

As Bumrah takes the reins again in Perth, he will look to draw from his past experiences while navigating an even greater challenge. For Bumrah, the Perth Test offers a chance not only to revive India’s campaign but also to solidify his leadership credentials.