MUMBAI — Jasprit Bumrah is not just one of the finest fast bowlers of this generation; he is also one of the most unique cricketers I’ve had the privilege of playing alongside. As a slip fielder who stood behind the stumps for many of his spells, I can confidently say that facing or fielding to Bumrah was an experience unlike any other.
His unorthodox action, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to outthink batters made him a nightmare to face. But what truly set him apart was his relentless work ethic and team-first mentality. In this column, I’ll share what made Bumrah such a special bowler to field to and why he was the "perfect" team-mate.
The Unpredictability of Bumrah’s Action
One of the first things that struck me about Bumrah was his unusual bowling action. Unlike most fast bowlers who rely on a long, flowing run-up, Bumrah’s approach was compact, almost stuttering, before exploding into his delivery stride. This made it incredibly difficult for batters to pick up his release point.
As a slip fielder, I had to stay extra alert because the ball would often zip through quicker than expected. His ability to disguise slower balls and yorkers within the same action was uncanny. "You never knew what was coming next," as Virat Kohli once remarked.
Master of Seam and Swing
Bumrah wasn’t just about raw pace—he was a master of movement. Whether it was conventional swing, reverse swing, or subtle seam deviations, he had it all. Standing at slip, I noticed how late the ball would swing or nip off the pitch, leaving batters with no time to adjust.
Some of his most memorable spells came when the ball was reversing. His control over reverse swing was so precise that he could land six yorkers in an over, all at 140+ kph, and still make the ball tail in or away at the last moment. "It was like facing a magician," Joe Root once said after a particularly brutal spell in England.
Key Traits That Made Him Lethal
What made Bumrah stand out wasn’t just his skill but his intelligence. He had an innate ability to read batters and exploit their weaknesses. Here are a few traits that made him exceptional:
- Adaptability: Whether it was Tests, ODIs, or T20s, Bumrah adjusted seamlessly. His slower balls in white-ball cricket were as effective as his bouncers in Tests.
- Mental Toughness: He thrived under pressure. Some of his best spells came in crunch moments—like the 2019 World Cup or the 2021 Lord’s Test.
- Work Ethic: Even after achieving greatness, he never stopped refining his craft. His training routines were legendary.
The Perfect Team Player
Beyond his bowling, Bumrah was the kind of team-mate every captain dreams of. He never shied away from responsibility, whether it was bowling long spells in Tests or defending tight totals in T20s. His calm demeanor under pressure was infectious.
I remember a Test match where we were struggling to break a partnership. Bumrah, despite having bowled 15 overs already, volunteered to bowl one more spell. He broke the partnership in his second over. "That’s just who he is—always putting the team first," Ravi Shastri later said.
The Bumrah Effect on Batters
Batters didn’t just fear Bumrah’s pace; they feared his mind games. His ability to set up dismissals was extraordinary. I’ve seen him bowl three outswingers followed by a vicious inswinging yorker—all planned deliveries to trap the batter.
Steve Smith once admitted that facing Bumrah was one of the toughest challenges in modern cricket. "You can’t relax for a single ball," Smith said after the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar series.
Conclusion: A Once-in-a-Generation Bowler
Jasprit Bumrah wasn’t just a great bowler; he was a phenomenon. His unique action, combined with his intelligence and relentless drive, made him a nightmare for batters and a joy to field to. As a team-mate, he was selfless, hardworking, and always ready to step up when needed.
Cricket has seen many great fast bowlers, but Bumrah’s uniqueness ensures his legacy will be remembered for generations. "He’s the kind of bowler you tell your grandkids about," as Rahul Dravid once put it.
