Go on India, Blow Your Own Trumpet; Celebrate Jasprit Bumrah

When we talk of fast bowlers, we tend to ignore the talent in our own backyard.

Watching Jasprit Bumrah bowl in India’s opening game at the ICC World Twenty20, brings to light what Rohit Sharma spoke about before the tournament.

Tired of the Amir Talk

Mohammed Amir’s triumphant return to international cricket had resulted in Indians gushing about yet another Pakistan fast bowler. Naturally, Rohit was fed up of being asked about Amir when India also has talent in its own backyard. He had pushed India to stop hyping other pace bowlers, while ignoring their own and had specifically singled out Bumrah as a special talent, because of his unusual action and his ability to bowl yorkers.

Stop Comparing With Pakistan

Since the 1980s, when Pakistan produced Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, backed by Imran Khan’s genius, India has been envious of its neighbours. So even if Pakistan turned out a half decent fast bowler; Indians, especially the cricketers from the 1980s and 1990s would not stop gushing about them.

While the ‘Ws’ were awe inspiring in their achievements, the same is not true about the current lot from Pakistan. The fact is that in the last 25 years, India has produced its share of decent new ball bowlers, who have at times been quick and sometimes more effective than their more fancied Pakistani counterparts.

Zak’s the Game-Changer

The tide has in fact turned in India’s favour since the beginning of the last decade, when the likes of Zaheer Khan came into the fray. Yet, there has almost always been a lack of respect for India’s quick bowlers.

While Zaheer was a far more effective leader of men in terms of pace in the last 15 years, Pakistan has not had one such in the same duration. This is the hard fact which no one will admit. Pakistan has had an equal number of fast bowlers coming in and out, much like India. India’s fast bowling attack, however, has been far more consistent.

Learn From the Best

Unlike the Aussies, the English or even Pakistan, India just does not know how to talk up their fast bowlers, because we have essentially been a land of spinners and delightful batsmen. It is just not our nature to praise our fast bowlers, unless the world sits up and praises them to the skies.

So we will now wait for the world to compare Bumrah with Sri Lankan slinger Lasith Malinga before we realise that he is similar. While gushing about the rich resources in Pakistan fast bowling stocks, India fails to recognise that they have a pool as well. India is almost apologetic when it discusses the pace of Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron or the unique abilities of Bumrah.

There is therefore a subtext in Rohit’s message that was reinforced by Bumrah’s spell in Nagpur on Tuesday night. Go on India, celebrate Bumrah.