Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has lauded Jasprit Bumrah for his superb spell against Pakistan. Shastri said Bumrah doesn’t leave the bowling coaches as he has a lot of questions to ask and it helps him read the pitch conditions.
The reputed commentator hailed Bumrah for his hunger to improve by watching videos and getting analysts’ views on his bowling. Shastri had observed Bumrah from close quarters when he was the team’s head coach and knows how hard the fast bowler works on his bowling.
Bumrah returned with impressive figures of 2-19 in the seven overs he bowled against Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Saturday. The gun fast bowler was awarded Player of the Match for his fine bowling display and also became the leading wicket-taker of the ongoing World Cup with eight scalps.
“Even now, Jasprit Bumrah doesn’t leave the bowling coaches. He will not leave the analysts, he go watch everything and he wants to improve, that’s the hunger and that’s why he is where he is today. He wants to improve,” Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports.
“Another very interesting thing, he said. He said ‘I watched the Giants’ and he said ‘I have a good slow ball and I think this might be a good match-up to break the rhythm of a player like Rizwan who plays on the move and plays away from his body at times’,” he added.
Shastri hailed Bumrah for reading the pitch conditions as well as the opponent and bowling accordingly to get the desired results.
“One of his greatest strengths is his ability to read opponents, to read batsmen, adapt to the conditions and you know that he brought back his length within and over, within an over, he didn’t have a slip in place, you know. So he was very clear that he had to attack the stumps, bowl back of the length and not give the batsman any room, and then use the subtle variations where he gets his fingers across the sea and gets the go,” said Shastri.
“It’s smart thinking. He’s risen to the top that quickly just for nothing. You know, he’s a smart operator. Not only has he got the skills, he’s got the mindset here to walk on,” added Shastri.
Bumrah once again proved his mettle against Pakistan and India will hope he carries on in a similar fashion. On Thursday, India will take on Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
