Bumrah lifts lid on captaincy talks ahead of England Tests

In a conversation with Dinesh Karthik on Sky Sports, Bumrah has revealed that while the BCCI had considered him for the captaincy role after the retirement of former skipper Rohit Sharma from the format, he chose to step aside.

Shubman Gill was named the captain of the Indian Test side last month, following Rohit's decision to call time on his Test career.

"Before Rohit and Virat (Kohli) retired during the IPL, I had spoken to the BCCI about my workload going forward in a five-Test match series. I've spoken to the people who have managed my back. I've spoken to the surgeon as well, who's always spoken to me about how smart you have to be about the workloads," Bumrah explained.

"I did speak to him, and then we came to the conclusion that I have to be a little smarter. Then I called the BCCI and said, 'I don't want to be looked at in a leadership role because I won't be able to give all the Test matches in a five-Test match series'."

The ICC No.1 ranked Test bowler led India in two fixtures during the Border-Gavaskar Series against Australia that concluded earlier this year.

Bumrah elaborated on his decision, emphasising the importance of continuity and team stability as India begin their next ICC World Test Championship cycle away against England in another five-match Test series.

"Yes, the BCCI was looking at me for leadership. But then I had to say, no, that it's not fair for the team as well, that (in) a five-Test match series, three matches, somebody else is leading, and two matches, somebody else is leading. It's not fair to the team. And I always wanted to put the team first."

With 45 Tests yielding 205 wickets, alongside a hitherto unheard of average in return, Bumrah mentioned that while the captaincy meant a great deal to him, his priority remained serving Indian cricket in the best way possible.

"Even if me being there as a player offers a lot more, just not as a captain. The captaincy is a post, but you always have leaders in the team. And I wanted to do that.

"If I'm not careful, I don't know about the future and I don't want to be in a situation where, you know, abruptly I have to go away from this format. So I thought that for continuity, and it is only fair to the team, that you know, the team goes in that direction where they look at long term, and I could help in whatever way I can.

"But yeah, captaincy meant a lot. I had worked very hard for it. But unfortunately, sometimes you have to look after the bigger picture. I love cricket more than captaincy. So I want to contribute more as a cricketer and to the Indian team as a player."

With Shubman Gill now leading the Test side, Bumrah made it clear that his role as a senior figure in the dressing room will continue to be one of support and mentorship.

"I am there for him whenever he needs me in whatever capacity. I don't wanna jump in and, if I see something, I can give, give him a quiet word. But I want, that's how I have played cricket. I want the person to be free. I want the person to be free thinking that how he wants to operate."

"He obviously has a thought process. He's young and energetic. So he wants that, and that is how it should be. So, whenever he comes up to me, whenever he's had discussion with me, I'm always there for his support. And whatever he needs out of me, I'm more than happy to give it."

Bumrah also addressed the need for managing his workload as India head into a grueling series against a relentless England outfit, with the first of the five contests beginning on Friday, June 20 at Headingley.

"I've prepared really well, but I have to be smart as well because I'm not growing, I'm not becoming younger by the day. So I have to keep an eye on my body, take care of my body because at the end of the day, I would love to play for longer.

"I'm still not done, in my mind. So I have to be a little smart about my workload. I want to still contribute in all three formats. So I have to be a little smart in how I operate on things right now."