Meetings between two sides led by fast bowlers are rare events – perhaps last seen when Shaun Pollock and Waqar Younis led South Africa and Pakistan against each other in a series in 2002-03 – but Cummins’ example has made more selection panels open to the idea.
Bumrah, who has already led India in one Test and was this week named vice-captain, is not shy about saying that fast bowlers should be considered as leadership material more often than in the past.
“I feel the bowlers are the smart people, as we have to get the batters out. We are always fighting the odds as the grounds are shorter, the bats are better,” Bumrah told an Indian chat show earlier this year. “Bowlers are doing the hard job. They are not hiding behind a bat. They are not hiding behind a flat wicket.
“When you lose a game, bowlers are blamed. It is a hard job. I take a lot of pride in doing that job. You have to face a lot of challenges. Because of these challenges, bowlers find new ways to succeed. Fighting the odds makes you a lot braver, and leadership needs you to be brave.”
It is through Cummins’ example that Bumrah’s interest in leadership has been fired, as the Australian captain has shown leadership need not be a burden for a fast bowler, but a responsibility on which to thrive as a senior player.
“We have seen Pat Cummins doing really well. I have seen Wasim Akram captaining. Kapil Dev and Imran Khan have won a World Cup. Sometimes, physically it is stressful, that’s why leadership goes to batters. [But] in my opinion, bowlers are the smart ones,” Bumrah said.
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“Perception changes with results. I came from a perception that this bowling action will not work, but now people try to copy it. You don’t try to say things; you let your results talk. Pat Cummins is a big example. He got a lot of positive results. He won the World Cup and World Test Championship. I do not think it is a burden. When you play cricket, you want responsibility.”
All-rounder Cameron Green is yet to formally declare his decision on whether to miss the summer by having back surgery, as he continues discussions with those close to him after a briefing from Cricket Australia medical staff on Thursday.