The young Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has earned a spot for himself in the limited overs game, has been a major reason why the success rate of the men in blues is so high. Pairing with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he has brought an end to the death bowling worries that India faced over a long period. Starting from the Mumbai Indians camp to becoming the best bowler in the T20 format, he has come a long way. Recently, cricket broadcaster Harsha Bhogle in a video with Cricbuzz was heard talking about this young cricketer from Gujarat and how he has grown as a cricketer.
In the video, Bhogle was heard drawing a comparison with Ajit Agarkar from the early days when he looked thin and slim, and nobody had any expectations for him. Talking about Agarkar’s stellar One-Day record as he holds the record the getting fastest 50 ODI wickets, many people had no supposition but, the young kid with an unusual action kept getting better and better.
“He has become the second fastest to get to 50 wickets and his numbers are quite staggering. An average of 22 in ODI, a strike rate of 28, what is critical is an economy rate of 4.8. You look at T20I’s, he has taken 38 wickets from 28 games and once again he is giving you wickets in every 16 balls and an economy rate of 6.82,” an elated Bhogle remarked.
Talking about the death bowling quality, Bhogle stated that Bumrah is an important weapon in the hands of Virat Kohli if Bhuvneshwar Kumar has a bad day. Showering heaps of praise, the commentator mentioned That Bumrah is most reliable death bowler in the country currently which speaks volume about his character.
“Initially when he came, he was one big inswinger. Then working with Lasith Malinga he has developed the yorkers, then that lovely slower-ball, and then the one that seams away from the right-handers, the one which holds the line. Each time Bumrah comes through as a thinking cricketer and I think it is that quality that has seen him rise up in the rankings internationally as well,” Bhogle added.
With an interesting statistics, Bhogle has proved why Bumrah has grown a bowler. Bumrah had bowled the highest number of no balls since his debut in all forms of cricket including the horror no-ball in the finals of the Champions Trophy. But since then, he has represented India in 12 ODI’s and bowled a single no-ball and has picked up lots of wickets. This is mesmerizing to see that he has realized the mistake and corrected himself.
However, Bhogle has raised one spot of bother Bumrah needs to work on. He has been lethal while bowling in the first innings picking up 42 wickets in 19 games with an economy of 4.9. However, he has worked more to become a far better bowler when he is bowling in the second innings, and he is aware of this.
Harsha seemed optimistic about Bumrah’s chance of getting picked in the Test squad in England and South Africa.
“I think he is ready simply because of the way he has grown his variations and can you imagine he got a new ball. You have got Umesh Yadav and Shami, they have bowled really well and then Bumrah is coming from the back of that. I am very happy where Bumrah is, very impressed with the no-ball record and now wanting him to get that defending record rectified and I want to see him play Test cricket,” a delighted Bhogle signed off.