India’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Travis Head on day four of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 29, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP
A slow walk gathering pace, legs suddenly whirring while approaching the bowling crease, back arching and the ball being released as if from a high-strung catapult. This is the signature Jasprit Bumrah style, almost similar to the manner in which aeroplanes gently roll before munching tarmac in the blink of an eye and being airborne.
In the latest Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Bumrah has been at his menacing best. Stumps have been disturbed, edges grazed and such is his impact that even a delivery that may not necessarily demand a wicket would still yield one as batters rushed their shots.
Bumrah’s 30 wickets from four Tests
There was theatre when Shane Warne bowled; an equally dramatic rush happens when Bumrah is at work. Great players impose their will on contests. Kapil Dev during India’s 1991-92 tour Down Under bagged 25 wickets. Thirty two years later, another Indian fast bowler has 30 scalps from just four Tests while the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) awaits the fifth Test here from Friday.
Kapil’s was the late wind that lit up a stunning career in its twilight. For Bumrah, aged 31 and with 44 Tests under his belt, this is the middle stage, and his current tally of 203 wickets in cricket’s longer format is bound to quadruple. To bag 200 plus with an average of 19.42 is spectacular. He is the first bowler to get to this milestone while the average stayed below the twenty mark.
Prior to Rohit Sharma’s return as captain at Adelaide, Bumrah led India well in the triumphant first Test at Perth. While the subsequent contests witnessed Australia’s comeback and a series scoreline of 2-1 now favours the host, Bumrah has remained undaunted. Even as a tailender, he has put a price on his wicket.
After castling Sam Konstas in Australia’s second dig at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the speed merchant mimicked the opener’s crowd-rousing gestures. It was a rare hint of raw emotion. When Nathan Lyon suffered a similar outcome, the timber-dismantler just stood and held a cold gaze.
This was the hero in a Wild Western, gunning down rivals with a phlegmatic air. After going through the ‘Bumrah inquisition’ on the pitch, every Australian batter has been subjected to the ‘Bumrah question’ in press conferences. Their usual responses reflected shock and awe.
It is not easy to perform consistently while his regular partner Mohammed Shami is yet to resurface at the international level following injury and rehabilitation. The other Mohammed, Siraj, has slowly found a rhythm to gain 16 wickets. Akash Deep, meanwhile, has strived hard without luck.
All this meant that Rohit was often employing Bumrah in repetitive spells. The ‘shock’ bowler was now doubling up as a stock bowler, and it is a workload that the Indian captain is conscious about. When India strides out at the SCG, Bumrah is expected to replicate his excellence. It would be ideal if the batters too can contribute.
Readers of a certain vintage may remember a Sachin Tendulkar 100 being the lone balm while India lost. Now the roles are reversed. A Bumrah five-for is taken for granted even as the team slumps toward defeat’s shadow. He needs support from the rest of the playing eleven. Even then he will do all the heavy-lifting. Bumrah knows no other way.
Published – January 01, 2025 01:46 pm IST
