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Covid-inflicted Rohit Sharma's absence paved the path for Jasprit Bumrah's captaincy debut for India in the rearranged fifth Test against England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, which is underway from Friday (July 1).
Meanwhile, former England spinner Ashley Giles feels giving Bumrah the captaincy role could possibly become a reason of confusion for India.
Speaking on the India's potent strike bowler, Giles said he might be in a dilemma about how to use himself during the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham starting Friday (July 1).
"That's the interesting point.. Giving the captaincy to your most potent bowler and your strike bowler. And we've seen in the past that this can cause some confusion just for the bowler and captain himself. When do they bowl themself, how much do they bowl? And that's why we perhaps don't see fast bowlers captaining international teams in test matches that much particularly in recent times," Giles told ESPNCricinfo.
Jasprit Bumrah became India's 36th Test captain after being named skipper for the fifth rescheduled Test against England. Bumrah is the fast bowler since Kapil Dev in 1987 to be named captain of the Indian cricket Test team.
"But clearly, the way India have used Bumrah as their vice-captain, they rate his leadership skills, they are trying to groom him in that responsibility so I think he'll be fine as he will also have some great guys around him," Giles added.
Taking on an in-form England side will be a big challenge but Bumrah is up for it.
"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 on the eve of the game.
"Representing India in Tests was always a dream for me and this opportunity to lead the side is the biggest achievement of my career. I'm very happy that I've been given this opportunity. I have had immense faith in myself."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," Bumrah said.
Talking about the fifth match between India and England , Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja's counter-attacking partnership helped India recover to 174/5 at tea on Day one.
Pant (53 batting off 52) and Jadeja (32 batting off 65) put an unbeaten 76-run stand off 101 balls to script India's fightback.
Rain delayed the start of the second session by an hour and England were all over India soon after play resumed, reducing the visitors to 98 for five.
While James Anderson did the damaged in the morning, Matthew Potts got the prized wicket of an out of form Virat Kohli (11) and a shaky Hanuma Vihari (20) post lunch to put England on top.
Vihari was the first to go after Potts trapped him in front of the stumps with a full ball that darted back sharply. In his following over, Potts sent back Kohli, who dragged one on to his stumps in his half-hearted attempt to leave the ball.
