jasprit bumrah has admitted that he did not always know where life would lead him. “If not a cricketer, I'd probably be a struggling cricketer,” he jokes, reflecting on his undying love for the game.
In an interview with Forbes India, Bumrah spoke about his passion for bowling, the challenges of the game and his remarkable journey from watching cricket on TV to becoming India's chief paceman.
The Lure of Fast Bowling
For a young Bumrah, the sight of fast bowlers dismantling stumps and making the batsmen bounce left an indelible impression. “Watching the flying logs and the quacking ducks fascinated me,” he recalls. Unlike many batting kids, Bumrah's heart was set on bowling.
Even now, his teammates know where his priorities lie. “Getting hit doesn't excite me,” he laughs. “Bowling is tougher, and I remind them of that often.”
His toughest opponent? Surprisingly, it's a teammate. “Ashwin in the nets,” he says with a smile. “He always brings something out of the box.”
From dreams to reality
Bumrah's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Only in 2024, he was the Player of the Series in India's win T20 World Cup campaign and major winner of the year across all formats. His stats are staggering: 77 wickets in 20 matches, a Test average of 19.52 and a reputation for excellence in all conditions.
But Bumrah is not one to obsess over numbers. “I focus on the kid who dreamed of playing for him INDIA“, he says. “The numbers are just a bonus.”
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The origin of the Yorker
One of Bumrah's most lethal weapons – the yorker has its roots in gully cricket. “As a kid, I loved watching the beaters fight,” he recalls. “I would do the yorkers again and again, not realizing I was developing a skill.”
This ability has since shocked the whole world. From crushing yorkers to his unpredictability with pace and movement, Bumrah has turned into a nightmare for even the best in the game.
A legacy in the making
Bumrah's achievements speak volumes. He is outdone Kapil Dev to become India's highest wicket-taker in SENA countries and has the most five-wicket haul by an Indian pacer after Dev.
The World Cup 2024 T20 final showcased Bumrah's brilliance. Defending 22 runs in 18 balls, Bumrah was bowled economically South Africa's pursuit, turning the game on its head.
“I stayed in the present,” he says, reflecting on the tense moments. “I wasn't thinking about the glory balls, but I was focused on getting the team in a better position.”
Based regardless of success
For all his achievements, Bumrah remains grounded. The jubilation of the T20 World Cup victory was a stark contrast to the silence that followed India's defeat in the ODI World Cup final just a few months ago.
“The win felt amazing, but we kept our feet on the ground,” he says. “We know how quickly things can change,” he concluded.
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