Former Team India player and head coach Ravi Shastri feels that the pressure will be on skipper Jasprit Bumrah who will be filling in for Rohit Sharma in the 1st Test match against Australia in Perth. Check IND vs AUS 1st Test Day 2 LIVE SCORE AND MATCH UPDATES HERE
Speaking ahead of the 1st Test on the 'Star Sports Press Room', Ravi said “The Aussies prefer to attack the leadership. Whoever the captain is, they train their guns and their spotlights on the captain. If they can bring down the confidence of the captain, they feel that the confidence of the team comes down. The pressure will be on Bumrah—there's no question about that. Any captain coming here will feel the heat, and Bumrah will be the same. But he's a very mature cricketer. He's a very competitive cricketer. Deep down, let's not forget, he's the best fast bowler in the world at the moment." "So, the Aussies know what they're up against. They might want to come after him, but they know he'll come after them as well. The important thing is, if he's calm and gets support from his other bowlers, I think he'll be fine. He'll be absolutely fine. But there's no question the pressure is on him. What I want to see from the outside is that he doesn't over-try because of the pressure of being captain and just sticks to his strengths and bowls as if he's an individual player playing in that team. It's easier said than done, but I think he's mature enough to do it. Yeah, that's something he said in the press conference too.” he added. ALSO READ: 'Call me a fast bowler': Bumrah's 150 kmph reply steals show | IND vs AUS
Jasprit Bumrah on leading India in Perth Test Bumrah also talked about his captaincy role in his press conference and said "It is an honour. I have my own style. Virat was different, Rohit was different. and I have my own way. It is a privilege. I don't take it as a position. I love taking responsibility. I spoke with Rohit earlier. But I got a little bit of clarity on leading the side after coming in here"
"I am looking at it right now, I am in the present, I have been given a responsibility. I did it once as well and I enjoyed it thoroughly. At this moment, how can I contribute to the best of my capacity and be in this moment. I am looking forward to that responsibility, what happens in the future I can't control it. At this moment, I have been given a job and I'll try to do everything that's possible and give my best in that." Bumrah added.
Six years ago, during his first Test series in Australia, Jasprit Bumrah led India's bowling attack and played a key role in securing the country's first-ever series win Down Under, claiming an impressive 21 wickets at an astonishing average of 17.00.
Since then, Bumrah's career has continued to rise, and on November 22 (Friday), he will make history by becoming the first fast bowler to captain India in a Test in Australia this century.
Although Bumrah has already captained India once in a Test—during the one-off match against England at Edgbaston in 2022—his limited experience as a leader has sparked considerable curiosity about his captaincy style.