"Why don't you look at fast bowlers as captain": Shoaib Akhtar names his choice as India's next Test captain
Xtra Time Web Desk: Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, suggested India's next Test Captain, advising the management team should look into the fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah as India's next leader in the traditional format. Virat Kohli had earlier resigned from Test captaincy a day after India lost the Test series against South Africa earlier this month.
Akhtar asked the management should buck the trend of looking at batters for the role of captaincy pointing out that Pakistan have had three great captains all of whom were fast bowlers. He opined Bumrah should be named the vice-captain and be groomed for captaincy.
"Why don't you look at fast bowlers as captain. Kapil Dev was a fast bowler, wasn't he a great captain? I don't know why there is this notion that batsmen are more clever than us. For Pakistan, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis have all been captains," said Akhtar.
"A fast bowler always goes for a win. I am not saying that the batters don't but it is a little different. Jasprit Bumrah should be made the vice-captain and groomed for captaincy. Groom fast bowlers and all-rounders. This trend of thinking that only batters can be captain is wrong," he further said.
Before the start of ODI series against South Africa, Bumrah admitted that he is ready to lead the Indian team in Test format, if given the opportunity.
"If given an opportunity, it will be an honour and I don't see any player would say no and I am no different. Be it any leadership group, I always look to contribute however I can, to the best of my abilities," said Bumrah.
Besides Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are the frontrunners to replace Kohli as the next Test captain.
