Jasprit Bumrah UNPLUGGED: Fast bowler opens up on how he refused Test captaincy for the sake of performing better

The larger than life image of Jasprit Bumrah grew by a few more inches as the speed merchant of Indian cricket revealed on Tuesday, he had refused captaincy of the Test side. Speaking to Sky Sports, in a show anchored by Dinesh Karthik, Bumrah revealed more than ever before, ahead of the Test series against England, starting at Leeds on June 20.

Just to jog the readers’ memory, since the time Jasprit Bumrah was rendered ‘horse de combat’ during the final Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Series in Australia, there has been intense speculation. When Bumrah went for an MRI scan during that fateful Sydney Test, where regular captain Rohit Sharma sat himself out due to poor form, Bumrah was leading.

Call it a lack of sensitivity from the team management or having been over-bowled, Bumrah’s back gave away. After all to claim 32 wickets was defining. He did consult a doctor and then there was a deafening silence for months. All the social media accounts of Jasprit Bumrah and his wife Sanjan Ganesan, herself a cricket anchor on STAR TV, fell silent. Speculation mounted. Rumour mills worked overtime, if Bumrah would ever return to cricket. And the worst, a seeming lack of empathy from the BCCI. Nobody wanted to talk on the Bumrah back issue. It was, as if, the topic was sensational, or taboo.

More fuel was added to the gossip fire where flames were fanned by lack of an official version. All cricket fans knew Bumrah was going to be out, though the illiteracy among social media users speculated on a Bumrah comeback for the ICC Champions Trophy, in Dubai. Poor Bumrah, he was holding his back, literally, in pain. He had flown to Bengaluru where he underwent rehab and strengthening at the BCCI’s Centre for Excellence. Each day was one of more intrigue as there was no official word from anyone, ahead of the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League. Once BOOM, as the fast bowler is known returned to action for Mumbai Indians, fans watched with bated breath. Was he fit and could he bend his back like before and hurl the white ball to bamboozle the batters? Well, Bumrah showed that same lean, mean approach. He was also mean, giving away few runs in his quota of four overs, per match.

With the sudden retirements of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Test cricket coming like a hailstorm whistling through the woods, debates began. Was Bumrah going to lead in the hard tour to Engand or not. Sure enough, when social media speculated Shubman Gill was the chosen one to lead India in the red-ball format, tongues wagged as to why Bumrah was not considered as captain.

Finally, the suspense has blown over, with Bumrah speaking in a freewheeling chat how he had to forget his captaincy dream for the sake of prolonging his career and delivering more for India. He is feared and respected. Each of the deliveries which Bumrah fires in Test cricket instils fear in the mind of batters. For the spectators, the sight of stumps being spreadeagled is a joy to behold. Well, Bumrah will do all that, possibly in a maximum of three out of five Tests in England.

Having suffered back trauma twice and once operated upon, Bumrah knows he has to preserve himself. At the same time, he is aware, at 31 years of age, he cannot go flat out daily. The workhorse is not limping but has to preserve itself to still win derbies, which is Test matches in England. So, the summer of 2025 in June/July will witness Bumrah in a new role, playing just three Tests. To forsake India captaincy, it requires a large heart. Any cricketer who is old school from India, dreams of captaincy. That Bumrah let the captaincy dream be killed and focus on self and nation for more rewards tells you one of the most poignant stories.

Surely, Bumrah would have made this decision after sleepless nights and much thought/discussion with his doctor/physios and the love of his life, Sanjan Ganesan. They are a doting couple, blessed with a son, Angad. “I’ve spoken to the people who have managed my back. I’ve spoken to the surgeon as well, who has always spoken to me about the workloads. And then we came to the conclusion that I have to be a little smarter. So, then I called the BCCI and said I don’t want to be looked at in a leadership role because I won’t be able to give (play) all matches in a five-Test series,” said Bumrah.

In the interview, Bumrah adds of ‘team above self’ and leadership. And that’s a statement which makes you fall in love with the bearded Sardar even more. Come on Jasprit Bumrah, we are waiting for the Boom from you. The English batters fear you to the diapers! Unleash the red cherry, fire that unplayable yorker and show that menacing bouncer, in conditions which will help you.