India’s 2021 T20 World Cup campaign is dusted. With a nine-wicket win over Namibia, Virat Kohli’s term as India’s T20I skipper has come to a halt. As a result, India’s current vice-captain, Rohit Sharma- is all set to inherit the T20 international leadership mantle from Kohli.
As India heads into a new era, Rohit Sharma is the clear favorite for bagging T20I skipper’s role. But his promotion leaves the vice-captain’s spot wide open. Appearing on Cricbuzz, Virender Sehwag has shed some light on the same issue. In doing so, he has named an ‘out-of-the-box’ candidate as his preferred pick for bagging the vice-captaincy role.
“Jasprit Bumrah plays all three formats”- Virender Sehwag
For fans and management alike, Rishab Pant and KL Rahul are leading the race to bag the vice-captain’s role in the shortest format of the game. However, Sehwag has snubbed both the front runners, naming Jasprit Bumrah as his pick.
“Your captain or vice-captain has to be someone who plays all three formats. So there can not be an option better than Jasprit Bumrah among players who feature in 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 continue to do so in the future? Will they be able to perform as consistently as Jasprit Bumrah?”, Sehwag says on Cricbuzz.
Though Bumrah has been spearheading India’s bowling attack in test and limited overs cricket alike, Sehwag’s suggestion of making him India’s T20I vice-captain is a bit unlikely. In IPL 2021, Rishab Pant led Delhi Capitals to the top of the table during the league phase. In the process, Pant’s captaincy skills earned plaudits from Sunil Gavaskar and Irfan Pathan. He has been ear-marked as India’s future captain. Then there’s KL Rahul. Yes, he blows hot and cold as Punjab Kings’ leader, but he has leadership experience and looks alright.
Rohit is nearing the twilight of his career and if Bumrah is appointed as the side’s vice-captain, he will be the future captain too. However, very few indian skippers have been plays who bowl regularly. Pure bowler? Just Anil Kumble. That too for a very short stint. Still, India’s swashbuckling former opener, Virender Sehwag, thinks the time is right for Bumrah to bag leadership role.
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“There have been very few such occasions in Indian cricket, perhaps Kapil Dev was the only fast-bowler who captained India. And then Anil Kumble became captain as pure bowler. Apart from these, there have not been any other fast-bowlers or spinners who became the captain or were good enough to be the captain or vice-captain candidate… But in today’s day and age, I think Jasprit Bumrah could be the best choice for India’s vice-captaincy,” said Sehwag.
Whether or not Jasprit becomes the new T20I vice-captain, one thing is clear. Sehwag firmly believes Jasprit Bumrah can don the vice-captain’s hat despite being a bowler. Do you agree with him?
