Ravi Shastri Recalls How A Hungry Jasprit Bumrah Impressed Him And Virat Kohli For Tests – Jasprit Bumrah’s ascent to becoming the premier bowler across all formats of cricket is nothing short of remarkable. From his debut, Bumrah displayed an uncanny ability to mix raw pace with deadly accuracy, tormenting batsmen with his unique action and deceptive variations. While his initial reputation was built primarily in limited-overs cricket, Bumrah’s evolution into a force in Test cricket has been truly inspiring.
Right from his Test debut, Bumrah displayed a maturity beyond his years, consistently troubling batsmen with his skiddy pace, pinpoint yorkers, and subtle changes in seam movement. His ability to generate bounce from seemingly docile pitches and extract movement in all conditions has made him a formidable force in the longest format of the game. Moreover, Bumrah’s relentless work ethic, coupled with his calm mind under pressure, has elevated him to the zenith of bowling excellence. Today, he stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring fast bowlers worldwide, a proof of his unparalleled skill, dedication, and relentless pursuit of greatness.
In the ongoing five-match Test series between India and England, Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as the leading wicket-taker with an impressive tally of 15 wickets across two Tests. Following his stellar performance in the previous match, where he claimed a remarkable nine-wicket haul to secure the Player-of-the-Match award, Bumrah has registered his name in history. He becomes the first Indian fast bowler to attain the coveted No.1 ranking in Tests. Additionally, Bumrah’s achievement marks a unique milestone as the first bowler ever to top the rankings in all three formats of the game.
Jasprit Bumrah’s breakthrough in Test cricket occurred during the South Africa tour in 2018, courtesy of coach Ravi Shastri and then-captain Virat Kohli, who handed him his debut. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Bumrah’s journey to becoming a dominant force in red-ball cricket.
Ravi Shastri Recalls How A Hungry Jasprit Bumrah Impressed Him And Virat Kohli For Tests
In a recent interview with Michael Atherton for The Times, former head coach Ravi Shastri reminisced about Jasprit Bumrah’s journey into Test cricket. Shastri recalled a conversation he had with Bumrah in Kolkata, where he asked if he was interested in Test cricket. Bumrah’s enthusiastic response, stating it would be the biggest day of his life, impressed Shastri. Despite being labeled primarily as a white-ball cricketer, Shastri recognized Bumrah’s potential and hunger for success. He expressed his determination to unleash Bumrah’s talents in Test cricket, indicating his faith in Bumrah’s abilities and desire to see him excel in the longest format of the game.
“I remember my first call to him, it was in Kolkata. I asked him would he be interested in Test cricket. He said that would be the biggest day of his life. He was labeled as a white-ball cricketer without asking him. But I knew. I wanted to see how hungry he was. I told him to get ready, be prepared. I told him I was going to unleash him in South Africa,” Shastri said in an interview with Michael Atherton for The Times.
“He was desperate to play Test cricket with Virat Kohli. They know, at the end of the day, no one remembers white ball averages. They will always remember your numbers in Test cricket,” he added.
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