Former South African cricketer Dale Steyn expressed confidence in the fast bowlers’ ability to lead a team effectively. Dale Steyn also highlighted the challenges of captaincy for bowlers, including managing workload and making tactical decisions during matches.

Pat Cummins has proven to be an exceptional leader since taking over the captaincy of the Australian team in Tests and ODIs. Under his leadership, Australia achieved victory in the ICC World Test Championship in 2023 and their sixth ICC ODI World Cup title.

Cummins has led Australia in 41 matches across all formats. The right-arm pacer has also made important contributions with the ball for the national team. The 30-year-old bowler has taken 121 wickets, showing a remarkable balance in effectively fulfilling both roles.

Fast bowlers are very good thinkers – Dale Steyn

In a conversation with TimesofIndia.com, Dale Steyn He highlighted the strategic prowess of the bowlers, highlighting their understanding of the game. However, Steyn stressed the need to effectively manage workload, injuries and bowling decisions.

“They (the bowlers) are very good. I was never captain of South Africa. So, silly (laughs). Fast bowlers are very good thinkers. Bowlers are very good thinkers of the game. They read the players very well. It’s more difficult (in terms of captaincy). You should be able to manage your workload, your injuries and when to bowl and when not to bowl. play bowling,” Steyn told TimesofIndia.com.

South Africa has a gem in someone like Keshav Maharaj – Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn cited Australian captain Pat Cummins as an example of a bowler who excels successfully as captain, emphasizing Cummins’ impressive record in recent years. Steyn highlighted the potential to thrive in leadership roles.

“(Pat) Cummins has found this really good. If you look at his record in the last two years as captain, he has won everything, he has taken five-wicket hauls, he is scoring runs and he is making the right decisions. It depends on each individual, but in the end it all comes down to workload and injuries. Fast bowlers more prone to injury than the potential batsmen who captain the team,” Steyn added.

“South Africa has a gem in someone like Keshav Maharaj. He is currently the captain of the Durban Supergiants and is doing a wonderful job there. Yes, bowlers can be good captains.” he further stated.

Keshav Maharaj led the Durban Supergiants in the recent edition of the South African league (SA20). The left-arm player guided the franchise to the final of the tournament. However, the team failed to cross the finish line in the final against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah could be the right choice to succeed Rohit Sharma, similar to Cummins’ trajectory. Bumrah has shown leadership ability by captaining the Indian national team on three occasions and has taken an impressive nine wickets.

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