A crafty fast bowler hurling thunderbolts on the turf, off it Jasprit Bumrah is as gentle as they come. His progress as a cricketer will shape the way India performs and travels not just in this World Cup but even beyond that.
Fast bowling memories culled from England and specifically linked to Indians often hark back to a June day in 1983. It was June 25th to be precise and please do tone down “fast” to “medium pace” and then in your mind’s eye an image will stir. Seamer Balwinder Singh Sandhu bowling, the ball pitching a shade outside off stump and, as the West Indian opener Gordon Greenidge shoulders arms, the delivery turns diabolical. Its radar adjusts and the red cherry darts back and crashes into the stumps. Sandhu jumps, claps his hands and India is on its way to win the World Cup.
The new generation
Now leap across decades and as another World Cup — the 12th edition at that — moves across England, India is back in the picture. Virat Kohli’s men are one of the favourites and their strengths, besides the usual batting phalanx, gain an extra edge thanks to a remarkable bowling arsenal. India’s speed merchants can be ranked with the best in the globe and in Jasprit Bumrah, India has perhaps the finest pace bowler. His support cast of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami is equally adept, and with wrist spinners leggie YuzvendraChahal and chinaman Kuldeep Yadav manning the middle overs, Kohli has an ideal blend to rely upon. Reputations can either be the edifices that last or the pressure mask that chokes. Thankfully for India, its spearhead Bumrah has a clear head, rousing pace, precise variations and an “I can bowl all day” spirit. A long run-up that commences as extended winnowing steps finally culminates in an explosive whirl of legs and arms before the back arches and the ball is released. Usually the batsman struggles as Bumrah delivers from a height and that generates steep bounce, and often his arc is one that angles in and the willow-wielder has to play.
Auspicious start
This story is from the June 29, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
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This story is from the June 29, 2019 edition of Sportstar.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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