Indian test team is under tremendous pressure after they lost the fourth test match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The pressure is on captain Rohit Sharma, as India have lost five out of the last six matches under his captaincy and have not even won one. He has been severely criticised for his reactive captaincy.
Under Sharma, India were whitewashed 3-0 at home against New Zealand, and this was the first time that an Indian test team suffered a series whitewash at home in a three-match series. Jasprit Bumrah captained the team in the first Test of the BGT in Perth in the absence of Sharma, and India won the match by 295 runs.
Bumrah, meanwhile, has been of fire in the ongoing BGT and is definitely the best across formats currently. He has scalped 30 wickets in four matches in the ongoing BGT so far with an incredible average of 12.83 with three five-wicket hauls to his name. The Indian quick has troubled every Aussie batter and has single-handedly kept India in the series.
Darren Lehman talks about Jasprit Bumrah
Former Australian cricketer, Darren Lehmann, wants Bumrah to take over the reigns of the Indian Test team after the ongoing BGT. He also called Bumrah the best bowler that he has ever seen.
“I presume he (Bumrah) is the next captain when Rohit finishes. He did a really good job in Perth. He is the best bowler I have ever seen live, I have seen Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath and all but I have not seen a bowler have impact like him in a single series like Jasprit Bumrah has since Mitchell Johnson in 2013–14 Ashes win,” said Lehmann as quoted by Hindustan Times.
“This is very similar as Bumrah already has 30 wickets. He has been outstanding to watch. He will do well when he gets a chance to lead India,” the 1999 and 2003 World Cup winner added.
Australia have already taken a lead of 2-1 after winning the Boxing Day Test. India will then need to win the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground to retain the BGT and level the series. If they manage to do so, then Sri Lanka will need to beat Australia in their home series for India to qualify for the WTC final.
