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Jasprit Bumrah has firmly established himself as the linchpin of India’s bowling attack. Following his standout performance as the Player of the Series in India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, Bumrah is currently resting during the T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka. This break comes ahead of a demanding Test season for India, where managing Bumrah’s workload becomes crucial.
While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to feature in the upcoming ODI series, the focus remains on ensuring Bumrah’s readiness for the rigorous Test matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia that lie ahead. Known for his ability to deceive batsmen with his variations and deceptive pace, Bumrah’s recent form in the T20 World Cup showcased his prowess at its peak.
In a recent interview with the Times of India, Sanath Jayasuriya shared his admiration for Jasprit Bumrah, highlighting the bowler’s exceptional skillset and emphasizing the importance of respecting such talent.
“He (Bumrah) is a unique bowler. We need to respect him and his skills. On his day, you’ll need to respect him, but then there are days when he is not up to the mark, it’s on those days you need to capitalise. Bowlers like him are on top because they’ve clear thinking in what they want to execute,” added Jayasuriya.
Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling prowess spans across formats: he stands on the brink of claiming 150 ODI wickets, already boasting 159 Test scalps and nearing a century in T20Is with 89 dismissals. While ranked third in Tests and fifth in ODIs by the ICC, he currently doesn’t feature in the top 10 T20I rankings.
His impact in India’s T20 World Cup victory was monumental, notably his three-wicket haul against Pakistan, a pivotal performance in defending a modest total of 119. Bumrah’s emotional reaction after the win underscored its significance for the team.
Addressing speculations about his T20I retirement shortly after the tournament, Bumrah dismissed any doubts, reaffirming his commitment to all formats. Alongside Mohammed Siraj, he remains among the select few playing across all cricket forms. With Mohammed Shami set for a return in the upcoming Test series versus Bangladesh, the trio of Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj promises to once again form a formidable pace attack for India.
