Chennai: India's backup wicketkeeper-batsman Dhruv Jurel believes it is not easy for fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to maintain his adaptability to all pitches and taking wickets in any conditions makes him a very special bowler.
Bumrah has played 36 Tests but has taken 159 wickets at an average of just 20.69 since making his debut in the format in 2018. He has played a key role in many of India's impressive Test wins at home and overseas in recent times.
He will now head into the Test series against Bangladesh on the back of his Player of the Tournament performance in this year's T20 World Cup, where he played a key role in India winning their first major ICC trophy since 2013.
“It is not easy to maintain his adaptability on all tracks. Sometimes it is a long spell, sometimes it is a quick spell of two overs where the captain needs wickets. Injuries are common for fast bowlers like him, but he always performs well by taking wickets. That is what makes him special.”
“Most bowlers prefer conditions that suit their style, but this does not apply to Bumrah. He can adapt brilliantly to any track, be it a seaming pitch or a spinner-friendly pitch,” Jurel told GeoCinema.
Middle-order batsman Sarfaraz Khan spoke about Bumrah's importance to the Indian team and his ability to change matches in a jiffy across formats. “If you look at all formats – ODIs, T20s or Tests – he has been a consistent strike bowler for India. Whenever the team is under pressure, he brings the momentum back.”
“You saw his magic in the T20 World Cup final just a few months ago, when the match was slipping away from us, and he took a crucial wicket to seal the win. He has done it many times when the team is struggling. There is no doubt that he is one of the best.”
Both Khan and Jurel were surprised by Bumrah's brilliant yorker to Ollie Pope, which shook two of the three stumps during the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam earlier this year.
Sarfraz said, “The way Ollie Pope reacted after that yorker – it would have been the same for me. That delivery was perfect and only someone like Bumrah could have executed it.” Jurel agreed with his words and said, “I couldn't have done better than Pope. I would have probably reacted the same way.”
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– /city before newspaper
Image Credit: Khas-Khabar.