Bumrah’s rise as vice-captain is a message for both Pant and Iyer to show supreme all-format consistency
It was a decision that not many saw coming, but once it did, the rise of Jasprit Bumrah as India’s ODI vice-captain, in the form of a stop-gap arrangement, was followed by his superb all-rounder. The format was a perfectly fair reward for consistency.
It will come as no surprise that the Chetan Sharma-led selection panel felt inspired by Pat Cummins’ recent promotion as Australia captain, while looking at two proven IPL captains Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant, a very interesting one. It was a matter. Mix to become KL Rahul’s deputy for the bilateral series against South Africa.
If sources close to the selection committee are to be believed, Bumrah’s promotion as vice-captain is a message for both Pant and Iyer to show supreme all-format consistency, something that the Gujarat pacer has tried to blast at the international level. achieved since. Scene back in 2016.
“Look, it is just for one series as Rohit (injured) is almost certain to come back during the home leg against West Indies and Sri Lanka. Then KL will become deputy again,” a BCCI source privy to selection matters told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
“However, the selectors wanted to reward Jassi (Bumrah’s nickname) for his consistency as well as the cricketing mind. So he was picked ahead of Pant and Iyer.”
Former chairman of selectors MSK Prasad said that since it was just a series vice-captain, it was an easy decision for the selectors.
“Jasprit is a very intelligent young man with a lot of understanding. So why not reward him? I like the verdict that why can’t we make a fast bowler the captain if he is doing well in all formats?” Prasad said, when asked how he sees this decision.
“Unless you give him the opportunity to be part of the leadership group, you will not know what to expect from Jasprit. But having said that, I would also say that probably since it was a vice-captaincy decision for a series, it was an easy call.
The former India keeper-batsman said, “It could have been different if it wasn’t for Rohit and Rahul to be available for captaincy.”
While Iyer guided Delhi Capitals to their maiden IPL final in 2020, Pant, who was his deputy, took the reins in 2021 and lost in the second qualifier after finishing on top during the round robin phase.
According to Prasad, IPL leadership is different from leading the national team and being successful in one is not an indicator that a player will be successful in the other.
“In IPL, a team can have four to five guaranteed superstars with varying drifts and pulls. Then you need to manage at least some domestic players, who may or may not handle the pressure of franchise cricket.
“In the Indian team, you have at least 12-13 top-class talented teammates who know their exact role at the highest level. It is easy at times to captain India,” said Prasad.
So why does he think that Pant and Iyer were overlooked, even if it was only for a series? “I think it has a lot to do with the fact that Iyer is now coming back from surgery and Pant also needs to be a little more consistent in the white-ball format,” he added.
“It is also my impression that till 2023, Rohit will remain the captain and KL will be his deputy, making Pant or Iyer the vice-captain means you give them an idea that they are in the leadership mix, which may not be the case. could,” he said.
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