It was a fateful Durga Puja afternoon in Kolkata in October 2017 that changed it all.
India were playing Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens at the time and the Indian team management had been invited to a Durga Puja organised by Biswarup Dey, former Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) secretary. Not having seen a puja in years, both Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun, head coach and bowling coach at the time, were excited to undertake the journey from the hotel to Bowbazar in the heart of North Kolkata. It was at the pandal that someone raked up the topic of the South Africa series scheduled for the end of the year.
“Yes, that’s where Ravi first told me about his thoughts on Jasprit Bumrah,” Arun recalled during one of our many conversations. “During his years in commentary, Ravi was exposed to the best in the world and that helped him develop a profound eye for talent. Also, he has always loved the West Indians with an action close to Bumrah, for he feels they make it slightly more difficult for the batsmen.”
“We were in the car and the South Africa series had been playing in my mind for a while,” Shastri told me later. “I wanted a fast bowler who could surprise everyone and could be the X-factor in our bowling attack. Bumrah was our man. That’s when I asked Bharat to have a word with him and tell him to be ready for the series.”
When Arun called Bumrah from the car with Ravi beside him, he was pleasantly surprised. “Clearly he was not expecting the call,” said Arun. “The moment I mentioned to him, he had warmed up to the idea and said he would be delighted to play Test cricket, for he always wanted to make a mark in the long form for India. He was a little upset with people labelling him a white-ball bowler and this was his opportunity to change things.”
Bumrah, a perfectionist, grabbed the opportunity with both hands. And when India first stepped out in South Africa, he was the surprise inclusion in the Indian attack. The rest, as they say, is history. What Shastri also did was not tell anyone about the plan. “We had to keep it under wraps,” he recalled. “That was part of the plan. We wanted Bumrah to remain under the radar and unleash him at the start of the Test series. That’s why we did not mention it to anyone else.”
Needless to say, it was a call that transformed India’s bowling attack in red-ball cricket and helped make it the most potent in the world. “The only apprehension was if he could last,” said Arun. “That’s where you have to give him all the credit. He has worked extremely hard on his fitness and the results are visible to everyone.”
As India get ready for yet another South African safari, those words sound telling – “If only he could last”. India missed Bumrah in the World Test Championship final, and it was a serious blow. Against Australia at The Oval in overcast conditions, Bumrah could have been a real handful. Sidelined at the time with a back injury, the comeback since has been spectacular. Bumrah looked at ease with himself in the World Cup and did well to lead the Indian bowling attack with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj. Now with Shami doubtful because of an ankle injury, it could well be Bumrah and Siraj who are entrusted with the job in South Africa.
India have never won a series in South Africa, and Bumrah, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will get one final opportunity to change that this time round. For Bumrah, it will be like going back to where it all started. From being a nobody in 2018, he now goes back to the big star but is tasked with the same responsibility. Win that coveted red-ball contest against the Proteas. In terms of talent, there is no debate that Bumrah is well capable. But not having played red-ball cricket for a while, there is always a sense of apprehension.
If he does last the course, we will yet again look back fondly at that afternoon in Kolkata. In sports, we always speak of moments. This was certainly one that changed India’s Test history.