Cheteshwar Pujara has hailed Jasprit Bumrah, calling him the next captain of India National Cricket Team in Test cricket. The veteran spoke about the way Bumrah led India in the first Test against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth. India went without regular skipper Rohit Sharma, and the team posted just 150 runs in their first innings. This was when the speedster took the proceedings into his hands, and his five wickets kept the hosts at 104.
The batters took inspiration from their leader and declared 487/6 in the second innings. Chasing 534 runs for victory, Australia were again hit hard by Bumrah, who dismissed three batters, restricting the Pat Cummins-led team to 238.
With India clinching a win by 298 runs, the right-arm pacer was named the Player of the Match. When asked whether Bumrah can lead the team, Pujara said he had no reason to doubt his talent as a captain.
“He has in him to lead India. The way he showed a fight after a difficult series at home was brilliant. He put up a remarkable show in the first Test in Australia. I think he has the capability to lead as he is a team man. He never talks about himself and his conversations are about the team and the other players,” he said on ESPNcricinfo.
The 30-year-old led India for the first time during the fifth against England in 2022, but the team lost the contest.
Pujara added that Bumrah gets along well with his teammates.
“There are timen when players don;t need suggestions and he accpet it. He is down to eartb and very freindly with players in the dressing room. That are signs of a good skipper.”
India and Australia will play the second Test from December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.
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