MyKhel Exclusive | Madan Lal Sees Jasprit Bumrah As Next India Test Captain

Add as a preferred source on Google

IND vs AUS: Cricket is no longer a batsman-oriented game. One man has redefined it, Jasprit Bumrah. As the Indian team touched down in Sydney for the fifth and final Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, where the hosts lead 2-1, Bumrah is still the buzzword.

No, not just because of stats and wickets. The way he has dominated the game for India is unprecedented. Cricket has been a batter's game and for a fast bowler to change the narrative has been inspirational.

Madan Lal - The 1983 World Cup Hero - Hails Jasprit Bumrah

"I have no hesitation in saying Jasprit Bumrah is the Indian cricketer of the year. As a fast bowler, all I can say is he has been outstanding for India, be it in Tests and the ICC T20 World Cup. I told you before also, he is unplayable. The world is now saying Bumrah is the greatest, so there can be no debate," said Madan Lal in an exclusive interview with MyKhel on Tuesday (December 31).

A passionate former cricketer and a cricket lover, Madan Lal has backed the Indian team even when the trolls have been at work on social media. "I still feel India will bounce back in Sydney. Let us wait. And the captain also has to score," added Madan Lal. This sounded like music on New Year's Eve, even as Sydney Harbour is set to usher in the New Year.

Jasprit Bumrah Is Everyone's Favourite in 2024

Going back to what all Bumrah has done in India in 2024, barring the IPL, he has been sensational. Where does one start, is it the England series at home, where on unhelpful tracks he bowled his heart out? Or, is it the BGT series in Australia, where Bumrah has become the darling of even the Aussie fans?

At least, unlike Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Bumrah has not been trolled. The Aussie media rates him very high, even though their own captain, Pat Cummins is no mean machine.

Stats get boring, it kills the human element. People have tried to decode Jasprit Bumrah. It is next to impossible. See what he did to Sam Konstas in the second innings at the MCG. Bumrah has been smiling.

Madan Lal Backs Bumrah as Next India Test Captain

He has worshipped his body like a temple. Bumrah does not need a captain like Rohit Sharma to teach him or lecture him on workload management. "Bumrah is a star, I would love to see him as the future Test captain of India," said Madan Lal. And he felt that there is nothing like more load on a fast bowler.

Jasprit Bumrah in 2024

Ok, look at what Jasprit Bumrah did in the ICC T20 World Cup this summer in the USA and the West Indies. We fans are going bonkers over the mesmerising stuff he has unleashed in the BGT series. In the T20 format, a fast bowler has to adapt. The skillset is the same, the ball colour is different and batters can go hammer and tong.

Even in these battles, Bumrah emerged as the baron of fast bowling. In eight matches, he took 15 wickets at an economy rate of 4.17. Even in ODI cricket, that would be more than acceptable. And when Jasprit Bumrah was named player of the tournament in the T20 World Cup, it became clear he is the King. The rest are commoners.

Look at his stats in Test cricket in 2024. He has virtually got no support and has gone on the rampage, grabbing 71 Test wickets. Each time India has needed him, he has struck. Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah Becomes First Bowler to Cross 200 Wickets With Below-20 Average

"He is a match-winner. To go on repeating this defines him as a champion fast bowler. And yet, one wants to see more from him," said Sunil Valson, Madan Lal's squad mate from the 1983 World Cup. So, it is not just the fans and media who are in love with Jasprit Bumrah. The whole world is. He has rocked cricket in 2024. Period!