Indian stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah on Thursday (30th June) recalled MS Dhoni’s words after he was named captain of the side for the rescheduled Test against England. 

The stage is all set for the final Test of the five-Test series between India and England, which was postponed last year due to COVID-19 outbreak in the Indian camp. The visitors are currently leading the series 2-1 and they will have their eyes set on the prize and would be eyeing a win to create history. 

However, with less than 24 hours remaining for the game, India suffered a major blow as skipper Rohit Sharma failed to recover in time after testing positive for COVID-19 during the warm-up game against Leicestershire. 

Read Also: BCCI names two India different squads for England T20Is; ODI squad also announced

In Rohit’s absence, BCCI named Bumrah as the Test skipper for the final match against England. The pacer will become the first fast bowler in 35 years to lead Team India in the longest format. 

Notably, the Indian pace spearhead has no captaincy experience but one cannot doubt his ability. Indian cricket has also witnessed the same thing in the past. When MS Dhoni became the skipper he also had no experience but he went on to become the country’s most successful captain. 

Speaking to reporters on the eve of the fifth Test against England, Jasprit Bumrah said that taste of success feels good and he loves to be in tough challenges and is up for the responsibility. 

"The taste of success feels good when there is pressure. I am always up for responsibilities and I love to be in tough challenges. As a cricketer, you always want to test yourself in deep waters. I have spoken to many cricketers. Everybody improves and keep getting better," he said. 

Bumrah cited the example of MS Dhoni to suggest why prior experience isn't necessary to be a successful captain.

"I remember speaking to MS (Dhoni), and he told me that he never captained any side before he led India for the first time. Now, he is remembered as one of the most successful captains of all time.

“So, I am focusing on how I can help the team and not focusing on what I have done before or how the cricketing conventions or the rules have been set,” he said. 

Read Also: “His mother has lots of tips for him”- Sanjana Ganesan on Jasprit Bumrah becoming India Test captain

Bumrah said that he has always trusted his instincts and will continue to do that as nothing with change for him. 

"In every scenario, I have trusted my instincts that have taken me to this level in cricket and I will keep doing that, going forward. Nothing changes for me, especially my role. That's what I am going to do as the captain of the side,” he said. 

Bumrah revealed that when he came to know that he will captain the side he broke the news to his family first. 

“I only came to know that I would be leading the side after Rohit Sharma tested COVID positive once again on Thursday. I first broke the news to my family when I came to know that I would be leading the side,” he said. 

Bumrah said that they are completely focused on the game as a side and are fully prepared. He remarked that Virat Kohli’s inputs will be crucial for him when he will bowl or make any changes. 

"We are completely focused on the game and we are fully prepared, given we already played a practice match against Leicestershire, where the wicket was a bit different from this one. 

"Their roles have been very important. Virat's inputs will be crucial when I am bowling or when I am making (some) changes. Virat's suggestions are going to be invaluable and always important for us," said Bumrah.

(PTI inputs)