Jasprit Bumrah is one of India’s most celebrated fast bowlers, known for his unique bowling action, exceptional accuracy, and ability to deliver under pressure. His journey from a young cricketer in Gujarat to becoming India’s pace spearhead is nothing short of inspiring.
Early Life
Jasprit Jasbirsingh Bumrah was born on December 6, 1993, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. His father, Jasbir Singh, passed away when Bumrah was just five years old, leaving his mother, Daljit Kaur, to raise him and his sister, Juhika Bumrah, alone. Daljit Kaur worked as a school principal, ensuring that Bumrah had a stable upbringing despite financial hardships.
From a young age, Bumrah was fascinated by cricket. He would often practice in his backyard, imitating fast bowlers he admired. His unique bowling action developed naturally, and he honed his skills playing tennis-ball cricket before transitioning to professional cricket.
Youth and Domestic Career
Bumrah’s professional cricket journey began when he was selected to play for Gujarat in the 2012–13 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In his debut season, he impressed everyone with his pace and accuracy, helping Gujarat win their maiden title. His standout performance came in the final against Punjab, where he took 3 wickets for 14 runs, earning the Man of the Match award.
Following his success in T20 cricket, Bumrah made his first-class debut in the 2013–14 Ranji Trophy against Vidarbha. His ability to generate bounce and seam movement made him a key bowler for Gujarat. Despite suffering an injury in the 2014–15 season, he returned stronger and continued to impress in domestic tournaments.
International Career
2016–2017: International Debut
Bumrah’s talent caught the attention of the Mumbai Indians, who signed him for the 2013 IPL season. His performances in the IPL earned him a call-up to the Indian national team in January 2016. He made his ODI and T20I debut against Australia, where he emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the T20 series. His ability to bowl under pressure made him an indispensable part of India’s limited-overs setup.
2018–2019: Test Debut and World Cup
Bumrah made his Test debut on January 5, 2018, against South Africa in Cape Town. He quickly adapted to the longest format, taking a five-wicket haul in his third Test match in Johannesburg. His ability to bowl lethal yorkers and generate movement off the pitch made him a key asset for India.
In the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, Bumrah was India’s leading bowler, finishing with 18 wickets in the tournament. His performances helped India reach the semi-finals, where they were defeated by New Zealand.
2020–2022: Test in India and T20 World Cup
Bumrah continued to dominate in Test cricket, playing a crucial role in India’s historic Test series win in Australia (2020–21). His ability to bowl long spells and deliver match-winning performances made him India’s pace spearhead.
In the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, Bumrah was one of India’s key bowlers, though the team had a disappointing campaign. He remained a vital part of India’s bowling attack across all formats.
2023: Injury, 2023 Cricket World Cup, and 2024 T20 World Cup
Bumrah suffered a back injury in early 2023, which kept him out of action for several months. He made a strong comeback in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, where India reached the final but lost to Australia.
In the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, Bumrah played a crucial role in India’s title-winning campaign, taking 15 wickets and maintaining an economy rate of 4.17. He was named the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performances.
2024: 2024 T20 World Cup, Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Bumrah continued his dominance in international cricket, leading India’s bowling attack in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. His ability to take wickets in crucial moments helped India secure a series victory.
Franchise Career
Bumrah has been a key player for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2013. He has played a crucial role in Mumbai Indians’ multiple title wins, becoming their highest wicket-taker.
Bowling Style
Bumrah is known for his unorthodox bowling action, which makes him one of the toughest bowlers to face. His ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers, deceptive slower balls, and sharp bouncers has made him a nightmare for batsmen. He is also known for his accuracy and ability to bowl under pressure.
Outside Cricket
Beyond cricket, Bumrah has been involved in various charitable activities and has supported young cricketers through mentorship programs.
Personal Life
Bumrah married Sanjana Ganesan, a sports journalist, in March 2021. The couple welcomed their son, Angad, in September 2023. Despite his busy cricketing schedule, Bumrah remains grounded and focused on his game.
Acclaim
Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the world. His ability to perform in all formats of the game has earned him praise from cricketing legends and analysts.
Awards and Honours
- Player of the Tournament – 2024 ICC T20 World Cup
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year – 2022
- Polly Umrigar Award – 2018–19 and 2021–22
- Dilip Sardesai Award – 2018–19
- Indian Premier League (IPL) Titles – 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020
- Asia Cup Titles – 2016, 2018, 2023
Jasprit Bumrah’s journey from a young cricketer in Gujarat to becoming India’s pace spearhead is nothing short of inspiring. His ability to adapt, innovate, and perform under pressure has cemented his legacy as one of India’s greatest fast bowlers.
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