Jasprit Bumrah

After his impressive performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Jasprit Bumrah continued to showcase his skills in red-ball cricket. He was rested for the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka but made a strong return during India's first Test against Bangladesh in September 2024. His return was marked by accuracy and control, demonstrating he hadn't missed a beat since the T20 World Cup.

Jasprit Bumrah is expected to play a crucial role in India’s upcoming Test series against New Zealand, followed by an important five-match Test series in Australia. These encounters will test his ability to maintain form and fitness as India look to build momentum in the World Test Championship.

Shining in the 2024 T20 World Cup

Jasprit Bumrah had an outstanding performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, playing a crucial role in India's successful campaign. Over the tournament, Jasprit Bumrah showcased his bowling prowess by taking 15 wickets in eight matches, making him one of the top performers. His economy rate was an impressive 4.17. His spell against Afghanistan, where he took three wickets for just seven runs, was a standout performance, contributing significantly to India's dominance in the Super 8 stage.

In the final against South Africa, Bumrah's performance was pivotal in securing India's victory. Defending a target of 177 runs, Bumrah's economical bowling and crucial wickets helped India clinch a seven-run win. He finished with figures of 2 for 18. His ability to deliver under pressure and restrict the opposition played a big role in India's triumph. Bumrah's exceptional performance in the tournament also earned him the Player of the Tournament award.

Team India new coach Gautam Gambhir has put focus on the work management of Jasprit Bumrah and wants him to be fresh for important series and tournaments. For India's limited-overs series in Sri Lanka at the end of July, Bumrah was rested.

Part of India's fast bowling legacy

Jasprit Bumrah adds to Indian cricket's never-ending legacy of producing genuine quality fast bowlers. From Kapil Dev to Javagal Srinath to Zaheer Khan… and now finally Bumrah. With his unorthodox action, a bag full of tricks and just sheer genius, Jasprit Bumrah stands head and shoulders above his peers. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Shaheen Afridi… they're all good, but pale in comparison to the consistency, effectiveness, and wicket-taking prowess as Jasprit Bumrah.

For a significant duration, Sachin Tendulkar set the standard, followed by Virat Kohli, showcasing that Indians can excel as the best batsmen globally. Now, Jasprit Bumrah has added to this narrative by demonstrating India's prowess in fast bowling on the world stage. Despite being sidelined for a year due to a fractured back that required surgery and months of intense rehabilitation, Jasprit Bumrah defied doubts about his effectiveness. He emerged stronger than ever, reaching the peak of his performance and rightfully claiming the top spot in the ICC rankings, the first time an Indian fast bowler has achieved such a feat.

Early cricketing days

As to how it all began, Bumrah's journey to becoming one of India's premier fast bowlers kickstarted in the Indian Premier League. Playing for Mumbai Indians, his unique bowling action and exceptional yorker control turned heads. He impressed in his debut season, leading Gujarat to a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title with a Man of the Match performance. Bumrah's unorthodox style and pinpoint accuracy didn't go unnoticed. After a successful IPL season, MI secured him for a significant sum, solidifying his talent. His rise continued as he received his maiden T20I call-up in 2016 for the tour of Australia.

Capitalising on an injury to Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah earned his ODI debut in Sydney. He impressed with his skills, leading him to a spot in the T20I squad. His six wickets in the series whitewash against Australia further cemented his place. This stellar performance catapulted him to the number two ranking in T20I bowling. Jasprit Bumrah continued his meteoric rise, playing a pivotal role in the 2016 Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. His exceptional death-over control earned him the trust of the selectors for the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy. While a minor setback occurred with a no-ball against Pakistan, Jasprit Bumrah displayed remarkable resilience.

Jasprit Bumrah established himself as Virat Kohli's go-to bowler in limited-overs cricket, eventually transitioning to Tests as well. On his Test debut tour of South Africa, he silenced doubts about his ability in the longer format with a five-wicket haul. The 2019 World Cup cemented Bumrah's status as a global force. He emerged as the tournament's leading wicket-taker for India with 18 scalps at a miserly economy of 4.41. His lethal yorkers not only brought wickets but also caused an injury to teammate Vijay Shankar during practice.

Continuing his impressive run, Jasprit Bumrah etched his name in history during the 2019 World Test Championship match against West Indies. He became only the third Indian fast bowler to claim a Test hat-trick. But that was just the beginning. Over the next four years, Jasprit Bumrah proved he is as good overseas as he is at home. Returning to top-flight cricket after a long gap that forced him to miss the 2022 T20 World Cup, Jasprit Bumrah put on a mighty fine performance at the 2023 World Cup picking up 20 wickets – the fourth highest of the tournament.