Jasprit Bumrah Reveals Why He Turned Down India’s Test Captaincy

There were a lot of rumours about who would be India’s next Test captain. Jasprit Bumrah was the top choice for many, especially after he led the team in Australia. Even some former cricketers backed him for the job. The BCCI was also seriously thinking about giving him the captaincy. But Bumrah himself stepped away from the race. In the end, Shubman Gill was named the new Test captain. Many people thought it was the BCCI’s decision, but now, just before the India vs England Test series, Bumrah has spoken up and explained the truth.

In a chat with former cricketer Dinesh Karthik, Jasprit Bumrah shared why he didn’t take up the role of India’s Test captain. Bumrah said his back injuries kept coming back, and though he was fit for the five-match Test series in England, he could only play three games. So, he chose to step away from the captaincy race, thinking it was better for the team not to suffer because of his uncertain fitness.

There are no fancy stories to it, no controversies or no headlining statements, or I was sacked or I was not looked after. Before Rohit and Virat retired during the IPL, I had spoken to the BCCI about my workload in a five-match Test series. I called the BCCI and told them that I do not want to be looked at in a leadership role,” Jasprit Bumrah told Dinesh Karthik in a Sky Sports Cricket interview.

Bumrah Steps Away from Test Captaincy to Prioritise Fitness

Jasprit Bumrah, one of the best bowlers in the world, has gone through a lot with his back. He’s already had two surgeries for a stress fracture, and doctors have warned that one more could end his career. Just before IPL 2025, he was out for two months, recovering from another back injury. He even missed the ICC Champions Trophy, where India went on to win without him. After talking to his doctor and physios, Bumrah realised that playing five Test matches in England would be too much for his body, so he decided to skip the series.

“I had spoken to people who had managed my back (injury), including the surgeon as well. He had always told me how smart I had to be about the workload. So, we came to the conclusion that I have to be a little smarter. I won’t be able to play all the Test matches. Then, BCCI was looking at me for a leadership role. But I said, it’s not fair for the team. You can’t have a captain for a five-match Test series and a different one for a three or two-match Test series,” Bumrah said.

Jasprit Bumrah led India in three Test matches, including two in Australia, where he helped the team win the opening game of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Even though he was the top choice to become the next Test captain, Bumrah stepped aside from the role for the sake of the team.

Yograj Singh blames gym workouts for the rise in player injuries

Former India cricketer Yograj Singh has said that too much gym training is one of the main reasons why players like Jasprit Bumrah are getting injured so often. Bumrah, for example, had his first major stress fracture in 2019, which kept him out of action for nearly a year.

“I am shocked that cricketers go to the gym. Today, youngsters are going to the gym. That is why we have injuries. I can say that about 30-40 years ago, injuries were zero. Because in cricket, you need a very flexible, gymnast-like body. Do things with bodyweight like pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and core (work). But please, for God’s sake, stop sending cricketers to the gym,” Yograj Singh to InsideSport in an exclusive chat.

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