Journey of Jasprit Bumrah to All-Time Great

Jasprit Bumrah has made his name in the world of cricket history as the “master of all three formats.” This Baroda Boy of the Indian Team has become one of the finest fast bowlers in the country. His journey is a testament to his unwavering willpower, hard work, and exceptional skills.  He is currently ranking second in the bowling charts of ICC, representing India globally. From his humble beginnings to his rise as an all-time great in the sport, Bumrah is a force to be reckoned with.

Early Beginnings: The Spark of Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah was born on December 6, 1993, in a Sikh family settled in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad. After his father’s demise, his mother was the sole breadwinner for the family. Bumrah was a shy kid who used to play with plastic balls in his childhood. Despite the lack of formal training in his early years, Bumrah’s natural talent was evident. He honed his skills by watching cricket on television and imitating the bowling actions of his idols.

Bumrah’s breakthrough came when he joined the local cricket club in his school, where he was introduced to the more structured environment of competitive cricket. His mother supported his cricket career by introducing him to the best coaches in Gujarat. His unique bowling style involved an unusual delivery stride, and quickly caught the attention of coaches and fellow players.

The Road to IPL

Jasprit Bumrah’s journey into the Indian Premier League (IPL) began in 2013 when he was picked by the Mumbai Indians (MI) during the IPL player auction. At the age of 19, his selection came after impressive performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he showcased his ability to bowl yorkers and deliver under pressure. Notably, former New Zealand captain and ex-India coach John Wright, scouting for MI, was impressed and brought him on board.

IPL Debut Before Domestic Debut

Interestingly, Bumrah made his IPL debut, before he played a single match in domestic cricket. On April 4, 2013, he took the field for MI against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). In his first match, he displayed glimpses of his extraordinary talent, taking 3 wickets for just 32 runs. He picked the wickets of star players like Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. This performance marked the beginning of a remarkable IPL career, as Bumrah quickly established himself as a key player for MI. He made his debut in the domestic tournaments in India after playing in the IPL.

The arrival of Jasprit Bumrah on the International Stage

A White-Ball Debut

Bumrah’s consistent performances in the IPL earned him a spot in the Indian national team. He made his international debut in the ODI and T20 for India in January 2016 against Australia in Sydney and Adelaide respectively. In his first ODI, on 23 January 2016, he picked 2 wickets conceding 40 runs. His T20I debut followed shortly after, on 26 January 2016, he claimed 3 wickets conceding 23 runs.

His statistics in white-ball cricket have been impressive from the beginning. Till 2024, Bumrah has played over 89 ODIs, claiming 149 wickets at an average of around 24. His economy rate is impressive at 4.59, particularly in the death overs, and is among the best in the world, making him an invaluable asset to the Indian ODI setup. In T20Is, he has played 70 matches with 89 wickets and an economy of 6.27.

Test Debut: A New Challenge

Bumrah debuted in the international Test against South Africa at Cape Town on 5th January 2018. He got his first Test wicket after he clean-bowled AB de Villiers for 65 runs. The transition from limited-overs cricket to the longest format is often challenging for many players, but Bumrah adapted seamlessly.

Bumrah’s Test statistics are a testament to his prowess as a fast bowler. In 2024, he has played 36 matches claiming 159 wickets at an economy of 2.74.  His ability to swing the ball, combined with his pace and accuracy, has made him a nightmare for batsmen around the world. Bumrah’s performances in crucial matches have further solidified his reputation.

The Importance of Jasprit Bumrah in All Formats

Jasprit Bumrah’s significance in the Indian cricket team is more than what his stats show; he is a game-changer in every format:

Test Cricket

In Test matches, Bumrah’s ability to bowl long spells without losing intensity is crucial. His unique action allows him to generate bounce and seam movement, making him effective on different pitches. He has been an asset to the Indian team for his bowling attacks, leading the charge in challenging conditions, whether in the searing heat of Australia or the swinging conditions in England. His performances have played a pivotal role in India achieving historic victories abroad, including the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in Australia.

One Day Internationals (ODIs)

In ODIs, Jasprit Bumrah’s role is equally vital. His exceptional skills in the death overs have made him one of the most feared bowlers in the format. His ability to bowl yorkers at will and maintain an economical bowling average has been instrumental in India’s success in the 50-over format of cricket. In the final match of the ODI World Cup on 19 November 2023 against Australia, claimed 2 wickets conceding just 43 runs with 4.77 economy, significantly contributing to limiting the score of the opponent team.

T20 Internationals

In T20Is, Jasprit Bumrah’s versatility shines through. He can adapt his bowling style based on the situation, whether it requires him to contain runs or take wickets. His unique bowling action and mental toughness, allow him to thrive in the shortest format of the game. Bumrah’s unparalleled bowling capabilities helped India win the T20I ICC World Cup 2024. In the final match against South Africa, he limited the chase by picking 2 wickets and conceding only 18 runs at an economy of 4.50.

An Overview

Jasprit Bumrah has brought a fresh perspective and gameplay to the Indian cricket team. His journey from a frail young IPL prodigy to a seasoned first-class pacer has been nothing, but inspiring and motivational. Over the years, he has mastered all three formats of cricket and in the future, we can expect him to spearhead many more triumphant victories for the Indian cricket team.