Kapil Dev recently queried Rohit Sharma about his decision not to hand over the new ball to key bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Interestingly Bumrah entered the attack later in the powerplay with Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh sharing new ball duties.
A similar pattern was noticed during the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. In the former, Shami and Siraj opened India’s innings with the ball. In his most recent stint with the Mumbai Indians (MI), the bowler was frequently held back in the powerplay by Hardik Pandya.
Jasprit Bumrah has proven to be effective regardless of the role assigned by the squad. He has been named player of the match for India in two consecutive matches of the current 2024 T20 World Cup.
“The next time I would go and ask the captain this question because to know about their thought process, I’d need to be among them. We can assume from the outside but by whatever amount of cricket I have played or seen, he needs to bowl the first over. He is a wicket-taking bowler. If you make him second or third change or make him bowl the fifth and sixth over, the game can slip out of your hands.”
So better to have that positive mindset from the very beginning. This is not a Test match. This is T20. The quicker you take wickets, the more pressure it puts on the opposition. So if Bumrah opens the bowling and picks up a couple of wickets upfront in a two-over spell, then the other team will always struggle. And then life becomes earlier for your other bowlers. Sometimes Bumrah will also get hit but the belief should be to plan with a positive mindset.”
Kapil Dev
Jasprit Bumrah’s spell was crucial to India’s recent six-run victory over Pakistan. The spearhead finished 3-14 and was named player of the match for his performance.
“He has proved all of us wrong” – Kapil Dev on Jasprit Bumrah sustaining with an unorthodox action
Jasprit Bumrah found himself at a crossroads regarding his future as a versatile player across all formats with recurring injury concerns casting a shadow over his career trajectory. The consensus among former players and experts was that Bumrahs distinctive bowling action known for its intense physical demand raised doubts about its longterm viability.
Jasprit Bumrah underwent a hiatus lasting almost a year sidelining him from the 2022 T20 World Cup and the 2023 IPL. Nonetheless subsequent to his surgical procedure and rehabilitation regimen his bowling performances have showcased unwavering consistency and notable success.
“We didn’t think he would be able to play so much cricket. We felt it would be difficult because of his action and the way he runs, the pressure it puts on his body and shoulders. But he has proved all of us wrong and even proven that by this action itself, I can show become the best bowler in the world. Sometimes you have to pay the price, but if it comes through a loss, it’s tough.”
Kapil Dev
Jasprit Bumrah will next be seen in action when Team India faces co-hosts USA in New York on Wednesday, June 12.