NEW DELHI: Former India head coach John Wright has shared the fascinating story of how India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was discovered by the Mumbai Indians (MI) over a decade ago. Bumrah, now the No. 1 Test bowler, recently led India to their second T20 World Cup victory and is dominating the Australian batters in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Wright first spotted Bumrah in 2013 during a domestic T20 match in Ahmedabad, where the pacer represented Gujarat against Mumbai. “I saw this kid with an unusual action trying to bowl 12 consecutive yorkers. I thought, ‘Bloody hell, I’ve never seen that before.’ And he was quick,” Wright recalled in an interview with The Times.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Intrigued, Wright sought insight from Gujarat’s captain, Parthiv Patel. “Parthiv said, ‘That’s Boom.’ We signed him straight away; back then, you didn’t have to go through an auction,” Wright revealed.
We can get back in the game with a few tweaks: Ryan ten Doeschate
To test Bumrah’s skills, Wright ensured the young bowler bowled to Sachin Tendulkar during practice sessions. Tendulkar, known for his impeccable technique, was impressed. “After the session, Sachin came to me and said, ‘John, who is that kid? He’s really hard to pick up.’ That moment felt like a triumph,” Wright said.
Despite his promising start, Bumrah faced challenges in his early seasons, playing only a handful of matches in 2013 and 2014 as he honed his craft. “People forget that he didn’t play much initially. It wasn’t an overnight success,” Wright noted.
Bumrah’s perseverance paid off, and by 2014 he became a key figure for MI, contributing to their five IPL titles. His unique bowling action, precision, and composure under pressure have cemented his status as one of cricket’s most formidable bowlers.
Wright’s role in Bumrah’s rise underscores the Mumbai Indians’ exceptional talent-scouting system and the patience required to nurture raw talent. “He’s a great kid and very clever,” Wright said of his star find.
Bumrah’s story is a testament to how opportunity, guidance, and hard work can lead to extraordinary achievements.