Bumrah for the breakthrough

India looks to stop the spate of failures in ICC competitions, with a billion hopes now resting on its pace ace instead of the superstar batters

- AYAZ MEMON

The India-Pakistan match in New York’s Nassau County stadium lived up to its billing. There was not a seat to spare, for love or money, and an estimated two billion global viewers reiterated that the rivalry between the neighbours has no parallel in any team sport.

The drop-in pitch, imported from Adelaide, Australia, became a vital factor in how things transpired on the field. The bounce was uneven and there was sufficient seam movement for fast bowlers, compelling batsmen to be watchful.

In terms of technique, temperament and tactics—for batters and bowlers—it was an unusual T20 match. But it turned out to be a classic giving lie to the belief that only high-scoring T20 matches are riveting.

An India-Pakistan contest is never just a battle of skill, rather more of nerve and will power of the players from both teams, individually and collectively. Astutely handled by captain Rohit Sharma, with Jasprit Bumrah as the lynchpin of the attack, India’s bowlers had pulled off a stunning win.

Historically renowned for spin bowling, how India went from deficit to abundance in fast bowling talent in the past couple of decades makes for a remarkable story. The BCCI’s policy of preparing ‘sporting’ pitches for domestic tournaments, though introduced belatedly, has been extremely fruitful and supplemented further by the IPL which offers an attractive livelihood and instant stardom. Sensing growing demand and opportunity for fast bowlers, aspiring cricketers in the remotest parts of the country today are eager to train, toil and chase speed rather than spin as their stock in trade.

The rise and rise of Jasprit Bumrah