Ashok Namboodiri in Dubai
Jasprit Bumrah’s return isn’t about one match or even the final. It’s about reclaiming the aura, the confidence, the reliability
The second ball of his first over in Wednesday’s match against Bangladesh pitched just outside leg, and Tanzid Hasan tried flicking it, only for Shivam Dube to take the catch running in from mid-on. The few murmurs about India having scored 20 runs short of what they should have died down immediately as Jasprit Bumrah worked his usual magic with the Bangladesh batsmen.
Bowling at speeds of around 138 kmph from there on, he had the batsmen fumbling. Parvez Hossain Emon played at a couple of balls pitched on the stumps, but sharp movement away had him all at sea. He rapped Saif Hassan on the pads in the second over, but the DRS indicated Umpire’s Call. He then came back to bowl the 17th over and removed the dangerous-looking Saif, with AxarPatel juggling the ball on the fence.
I thought Bumrah got his act together marvellously today, employing the slower ball on a length outside off, and eschewing the short-of-length deliveries from the previous two matches. He bowled a fuller length, with the deadly yorker thrown in to good effect, and ended up with 2 for 18 in his four overs at an economy rate of 4.5.
More than silencing any critics, Bumrah’s performance today was perfectly timed ahead of Sunday’s final. He had the batsmen guessing and, in many ways, reminded us that when on song, there are very few bowlers as potent in crunch moments. When properly managed, he delivers when the team needs him most. There is no rust, no hesitation. Just that trademark control and caress of angles.
This augurs well for India in the run-up to the final, showing that they are not solely reliant on the spinners. His reputation continues to induce caution in the batsmen and if this match was any guide, Bumrah is not just back, but back with intent.
His return isn’t about one match or even the final. It’s about reclaiming the aura, the confidence, and the reliability. India’s depth has always been the talk, but when your spearhead is firing, your edges sharpen further. The champion has roared back, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Bumrah’s evolution as a fast bowler is a story of adaptation as much as raw talent. From his early days, when his slingy action and yorkers made him a T20 sensation, he has steadily built a complete arsenal – seam movement with the new ball, control in the middle overs and unerring accuracy at the death. What sets him apart today is not just pace, but his ability to out-think batters with subtle changes of length, angles and variations, making him lethal on any surface.
This evolution is critical ahead of the West Indies series, and India will need Bumrah not just as a strike bowler, but as a leader of the attack – someone who can set the tone, absorb long spells, and provide sensational breakthroughs that tilt sessions. In essence, his journey from raw pace to complete craftsman makes him India’s most vital weapon against West Indies and beyond.
The sight of Burmah running in and firing those toe-crushing yorkers is more than just theatre; it is reassurance that the champion finisher of contests is back to his best.
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