BGT 2024/25: MS Dhoni once touted Jasprit Bumrah as potential captain, says Matthew Hayden ahead of Perth Test

Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden revealed that MS Dhoni had once identified Jasprit Bumrah’s capabilities as a ‘potential captain’. Hayden, who played under former India captain Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, stated that Dhoni had spoken about Bumrah’s leadership qualities. Notably, Bumrah will lead India in the first Test versus Australia, in Perth, i.e. the series opener of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. Bumrah will lead India in Tests for the second time after regular captain Rohit Sharma is out of action due to paternity leave.

Responding to India Today’s query in a virtual presser, Hayden, a Channel 7 commentator, said: “From what I understand, I don’t know Bumrah as such on the field, haven’t even played against him, but I come From being a close friend and mentor to MS Dhoni, he also has leadership qualities. In fact, he was touted by MS as a potential captain many years ago.”

He further opined: “Off the field I have spent a lot of time with Jasprit. He is intelligent, well organized and constructive in his commentary on the game, which to me shows that he has good leadership instincts, and they will.” The forward captains a very excited and extremely optimistic team coming here and I am sure he will be ready.”

Bumrah has captained India in Tests once, against England at Edgbaston in July 2022. Despite having a healthy lead, India lost the match by seven wickets.

Hayden praised Bumrah for standing up for India in times of crisis. He said that despite not playing much like Rohit and Virat Kohli, Bumrah has played like “tough” Indian cricket, and praised him for his bowling in the 2018 Perth Test, which India lost by 146 runs.

The former opener said: “When you think of Jasprit Bumrah, you think he has probably played 80 to 100 Tests. It seems he has been a stalwart of Indian cricket across all three formats. The reality is that he Has played 40 Tests and that’s a lot of cricket, but it’s not Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and other names who have played much more among the stalwarts of Indian cricket.

Bumrah will lead with the ball like Pat Cummins. He took five wickets in Perth in a losing cause. He is going to lead from the front, the better he bowls, the better his team will be in a dominant position, and he can expose many players because of his immense talent,” Hayden added.

The first Test starts on Friday (November 22) at Perth Stadium, Perth.