Mohammad Kaif names his pick for Indian Test captaincy, ignores Jasprit Bumrah

Former Indian cricket star Mohammad Kaif wants Rishabh Pant to be named as the next Test captain. The 43-year-old has backed the wicketkeeper and batter to do well considering his amazing return to the longest format of the game. Kaif made these comments on his YouTube channel and ignored Jasprit Bumrah. 

India’s former batter said, “From the current team, only Rishabh Pant is in contention to be Test captain. He’s worthy of it; whenever he’s played, he’s put the Indian team in front. Whichever number he comes to play, he’s ready to play a match-winning knock. He’s scored in all types of conditions, be it England, Australia, or South Africa. Be it seaming or turning tracks, he’s a complete batter.”

Rishabh Pant has led the national side just once and that came in 2022 during the home T20I series against South Africa. The 27-year-old has also led Delhi Capitals in the IPL. Jasprit Bumrah was named the vice-captain of the side but Kaif hasn’t named the Indian pacer for the captaincy. 

Mohammad Kaif downplays Ajaz Patel’s feats in Mumbai 

New Zealand left-arm spin bowler Ajaz Patel picked up 11 wickets during the third and final game in Mumbai. The Kiwi had picked ten wickets in a single innings at the same venue the last time New Zealand had played at this venue in 2021. 

Kaif said, “Ajaz Patel didn't bowl well. If you see his pitch map, he delivered two full-toss, two short balls, and two length deliveries but still managed to take wickets. Glenn Phillips is a part-timer and he doesn't know how to bowl good deliveries. We lost to part-timers and not to quality spinners. Let people say that Ajaz Patel has taken 22 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium.”

The former batter also said, “He can't even land the ball properly. Ajaz Patel bowled just two good deliveries in an over and got wickets. The defeat in the final Test is embarrassing. There was no bowler in the New Zealand side in the Mumbai Test. Santner did bowl well. The bowling he produced in Pune was a classic Test match performance.”