IND vs AUS: Cheteshwar Pujara Backs “Team’s Man” Jasprit Bumrah to be India’s Top Test Captaincy Candidate

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Cheteshwar Pujara believes pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has the capability to be a good skipper and India should look at him as long term captaincy candidate once Rohit Sharma steps down from the role in Test cricket.

In the absence of regular skipper Rohit, Bumrah led an under-pressure Indian team to their most dominant win in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener at Optus Stadium in Perth. This was Bumrah's second Test as captain for India.

While he makes way for the returning captain Rohit from the second Test in Adelaide, "a team's man" Bumrah has been backed by his compatriot Pujara to take on the role on full-time basis in the future.

"He is (a viable long term captaincy option) with any doubt," Pujara said on ESPN Cricinfo. "The way he has showed that in difficult circumstances when we had a tough series at home and when you are playing a first Test match at Perth in Australia and to put up a show like that.I think he has the ability."

"I think he has the capability of leading the team and he's a team's man. Whenever you look at him, he never only talks about himself, he talks about the team, the other players. What advice he would give," he added.

"There are times when players don't need advise and he accepts it, he says that.. if there is an experienced player he will keep quite. That is the sign of a good captain."

India were handed a 0-3 home series loss by New Zealand, which also considerably dented their hope of making their third consecutive World Test Championship Final. An all-format bowler, Bumrah produced a mesmerizing opening spell as Australian batters had no answer to Indian's quality in their own backyard.

Pujara, who has often shared the pitch and dressing room with Bumrah, also revealed the character of the pacer. "He is very down to earth, very friendly with players in the dressing room and eager to help and he is good person to chat with. Even outside of cricket he has a humble personality," Pujara said.

Bumrah and Team India is gearing up for the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy which is a pink ball fixture at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, starting December 6.