Bumrah and Cummins keen to stand out as fast-bowling captains

Bumrah and Cummins Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins looked resplendent in their crisp Test whites on Thursday morning. Swap the lush green outfield for a fashion runway in Paris, and the scene would have been picture-perfect.

The two premier fast bowlers posed with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest in Perth. Over the coming days, their performances and leadership will heavily influence the series’ outcome.

Fast Bowlers at the Helm

Traditionally, cricket captaincy has been the domain of batters. Their comparatively lighter physical workload allows more room to focus on strategy and team management. While at the crease, their primary focus is on scoring runs. Bowlers, on the other hand, juggle countless details—line, length, pace, variations—while also planning their spells. As R. Ashwin once said, a bowler often sequences 25 balls at a time. Adding the captaincy mantle to this can be an overwhelming challenge.

However, Bumrah sees captaincy as a natural extension of his bowling process, coupled with a unique advantage.
“I can manage myself best when I am the captain,” he shared on the eve of the first Test. “I know when I am fresh, when I need to push myself, and when to take extra responsibility. Bowling is inherently data-driven, and as a bowler, I understand field settings, wicket behavior, and necessary tactical adjustments better. I focus on these positives rather than the challenges.”

Bumrah’s journey in cricket started with his fascination for fast bowling. Over time, he has grown into a senior bowler and now, a leader. His stint as captain may be temporary, given Rohit Sharma’s expected return later in November, but Bumrah embraces this rare opportunity.

Rare Path in Cricket History

Fast bowlers have rarely led their teams, and even fewer have succeeded. India’s only other fast-bowling captain, Kapil Dev, was an all-rounder who led the team in 34 Tests (4 wins, 7 losses, 22 draws, and 1 tie). Other notable fast-bowling captains include Shaun Pollock (South Africa), Ben Stokes (England), Jason Holder (West Indies), Wasim Akram (Pakistan), and Courtney Walsh (West Indies).

Notably, Cummins and Bumrah are making history by facing off as fast-bowling captains—something last seen in 1997 when Walsh’s West Indies faced Akram’s Pakistan. Cummins, who has been Australia’s Test captain since 2021, has already achieved remarkable success: leading his side to a World Test Championship victory, retaining the Ashes, and winning the ODI World Cup.

For Cummins, it took about a year and 10 Tests to grow into the dual role.
“Your intuition becomes stronger with experience,” he explained. “The key challenge is balancing your workload—bowling too much or too little. I rely heavily on gut feel and consult my teammates and support staff.”

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A Leadership Style of His Own

While Bumrah has sought advice from Rohit Sharma and draws inspiration from his past captains, he is determined to forge his own path.
“You can’t blindly copy anyone,” Bumrah emphasized. “In my bowling, I have always relied on instinct rather than following a textbook approach. I bring the same philosophy to captaincy. It’s about making adjustments in real-time and staying attuned to the game’s rhythm.”

Contrasting Teams, Similar Goals

Australia, under Cummins, boasts a settled lineup and a stellar record at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where they have won all four Tests played. India, in contrast, is undergoing a phase of transition, with key players unavailable and a new-look XI stepping into the spotlight. They are also coming off a 0-3 series loss at home to New Zealand.

Bumrah has worked to instill confidence in his teammates.
“I always stress the importance of self-belief,” he said. “Experience matters, but on the day, it’s your mindset that makes the difference. When I debuted here in 2018, I focused on how I could contribute despite being new. That’s the same message I’m passing on to the team.”

Bumrah also highlighted how the current players, with experience in first-class cricket, IPL, and international matches, are better prepared to handle the highs and lows of Test cricket.
“Our preparation has focused on acclimatizing to the conditions and starting afresh. The goal is to stay grounded, learn from every game, and keep moving forward.”

As India gears up for a challenging tour, the stage is set for Bumrah and Cummins to leave their mark as leaders who defy tradition lisalavoie.com.