Mumbai: Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian batsman, has provided an insightful narrative on his experiences playing alongside Jasprit Bumrah, one of the most formidable fast bowlers in international cricket today. Pujara recounted their early encounters on the cricket field, revealing the unique qualities that set Bumrah apart from his peers even before he became a household name in Indian cricket.
According to BBC, Pujara first faced Bumrah in a club match during the latter’s teenage years. Despite the presence of other first-class cricketers, Bumrah’s remarkable pace stood out. Pujara shared memories of standing in the slips alongside Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan, all marvelling at Bumrah’s distinctiveness compared to other bowlers like Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Hardik Pandya. He noted that while Shami was fast, Bumrah was even faster.
Pujara elaborated on the challenges posed by Bumrah’s bowling style, particularly the unique angles created by his action and his position on the crease. This made things tricky not just for batters but also for slip fielders, requiring adjustments to close the gaps. Despite the challenges, Pujara expressed admiration for Bumrah’s temperament, highlighting that he never blamed slip fielders for dropped catches, instead maintaining a calm and supportive attitude.
Off the field, Pujara described Bumrah as an introvert who enjoys his own company. He shared anecdotes of trying to coax Bumrah into joining their group for PlayStation Fifa sessions during tours, jokingly threatening not to catch off his bowling if he didn’t participate. Despite his lack of prowess in gaming, Bumrah’s competitive nature shone through, much like it does on the cricket field.
Bumrah’s evolution as a bowler was particularly evident during his first tour of England in 2018, according to Pujara. The Indian team recognized his potential to become a long-term asset, especially after witnessing his instrumental role in India’s historic victory in Australia the following winter. Pujara recalled a memorable delivery to Keaton Jennings, where Bumrah’s mastery with the Dukes ball left England’s batters struggling.
Pujara emphasized Bumrah’s keen cricketing intellect, often overlooked amidst praise for his physical skills. He credited Bumrah’s time in the Indian Premier League, working with players like Lasith Malinga, for honing his ability to outsmart batters. Bumrah’s tactical acumen, combined with his ability to adapt skills from white-ball cricket to Tests, makes him a complete bowler.
Reflecting on a personal highlight, Pujara recounted how Bumrah’s support helped him reach a century in Southampton during the 2018 England tour. Despite coming in as the last batsman, Bumrah’s determination and competitive spirit enabled Pujara to achieve a significant milestone, underscoring Bumrah’s unwavering belief in achieving wickets or supporting his teammates, regardless of the match situation.