Kapil Dev: “Too Early to Call Jasprit Bumrah the Best Replacement for Rohit Sharma”

Former cricket legend Kapil Dev has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Rohit Sharma’s future as the Indian cricket team’s captain. Kapil believes it’s premature to determine if Jasprit Bumrah is the “best available candidate” to replace Rohit should the need arise.

Bumrah recently led the Indian team in Rohit’s absence at Perth’s Optus Stadium, where India showcased dominance with a record-breaking 295-run victory over Australia, taking a 1-0 lead in the series. However, the series shifted momentum in Adelaide when Australia handed India a crushing 10-wicket defeat, leveling the series 1-1.

Bumrah has captained the Indian side twice now—his first leadership stint ended in a defeat against England in Birmingham in 2022. Despite his limited experience as a leader, several fans have shown support for Bumrah’s potential leadership role once Rohit’s tenure ends.

Nevertheless, Kapil Dev remains cautious. Speaking at a recent event, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain emphasized that a player should only be judged on their consistency over time, particularly how they handle challenges.

“I think it’s too early to talk about that,” Kapil told reporters. “With one performance, you can’t say he is one of the best, and with one bad performance, you can’t say he doesn’t deserve it. Let the player play a lot of cricket, and then you can judge how they react during difficult times.”

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series now at a pivotal stage, the upcoming Brisbane Test will likely test India’s resolve as they aim for a historic third consecutive series win in Australia. Despite the setback in Adelaide, Kapil expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma’s leadership and backed the team to bounce back.

“Yes, they will come back,” Kapil concluded, reflecting his faith in the team’s ability to recover and fight back against the pressure.