Virender Sehwag thinks Jasprit Bumrah is the “best option” to be the team’s vice-captain in the next years. The former India batter assumes the 27-year-old fast-bowler is a better option than both KL Rahul including Rishabh Pant for the role because of his consistency across all 3 formats.
Virat Kohli is slated to surrender T20I captaincy after today’s game against Namibia. While current white-ball vice-captain Rohit Sharma is possible to take over the job for the upcoming years – which will add a T20 World Cup and a 50-over World Cup – there’s not much clarity on his replacement.
Talking to Cricbuzz on the case, Virender Sehwag threw his importance behind Jasprit Bumrah, saying:
“You make your captain or vice-captain someone who plays all three formats. So there can’t be a better option than Jasprit Bumrah among players who play all three formats. No doubt, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, among others, are certainly there but do they play all three formats or will they do so in the future? Will they be able to perform as consistently as Jasprit Bumrah?”
Virender Sehwag wrote that Indian cricket hasn’t observed many bowler-captains or vice-captains since Kapil Dev as well as Anil Kumble. He thinks Jasprit Bumrah has the best skill set to alter that guide. The former cricketer added:
“There have been very few such occasions in Indian cricket, perhaps Kapil Dev was the only fast-bowler who captained, and then Anil Kumble became captain as a bowler. Apart from these, there hasn’t been any other name of a fast-bowler or spinner becoming the captain or being good enough for being a captain or vice-captain… But in today’s day and age, I think Bumrah could be the best choice for vice-captaincy.”
Jasprit Bumrah in T20 World Cup 2021:
Overs – 18.4
Wickets – 7
Average – 13.57
Economy – 5.08
Strike Rate – 16
Best bowling figure – 2/10Best player for India in this tournament.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 8, 2021
While Jasprit Bumrah has been a part of the leading societies of both India and MI (Mumbai Indians) for the past 5 years, he has no background in captaining an international or IPL side. But many commentators think he has the right perception of the match and mindset to lead India to the highest stage.
Jasprit Bumrah has the best skill set for vice-captain : Virender Sehwag
Excellent from Bumrah 👏
A change of pace does wonders and gets him the scalp of David Wiese. #T20WorldCup | #INDvNAM | https://t.co/ICh1BVKEFJ pic.twitter.com/tNUl8oXIZn
— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) November 8, 2021
Moreover, Virender Sehwag told the BCCI might not make Rohit Sharma the skipper at all and preferably go with a younger leader. In this case, too, Sehwag stated, Bumrah would be the ideal applicant for vice-captaincy.
Virender Sehwag said:
“When he’ll become and play as the vice-captain, he’ll get groomed to right? And whoever the selectors make the captain, Jasprit Bumrah can be his vice-captain. It’s not necessary that Rohit Sharma will be the captain. But Bumrah can certainly be the vice-captain.”