Jasprit Bumrah Was A "Skinny Guy" But Someone Who "Didn’t Lack In Confidence": Shane Bond Recalls Journey With Mumbai Indians Pacer 

Legendary New Zealand speedster Shane Bond talks about his time with Jasprit Bumrah in the IPL at the Mumbai Indians. Jasprit Bumrah made his IPL debut in 2013. But it wasn’t until the conclusion of IPL 2015 that he rose in prominence, and was given a call-up to the national side in January 2016 in ODI and T20I.

Clearly, Shane Bond’s appointment at Mumbai in IPL 2015 helped him significantly, and MI did win the title that year too.

Shane Bond recalls that the Ahmedabad pacer, who now is the spearhead of India’s bowling attack, was a “skinny guy”. But he was someone who wasn’t short of confidence, having spent a couple of seasons already at MI, albeit to less success.

The former Kiwi pacer heaps praise on Bumrah’s work ethic over the years which has seen him become arguably the best fast bowler in the world across formats.

“That skinny guy who certainly didn’t lack in confidence. A good joke, a good laugh, better trust and great fun. That’s how the journey has been. But what’s also been great is the hard work that’s been put in over the time, the building of trust, the whole effort at getting better all the time,” Shane Bond said on the TOI podcast, Sportscast.

I hope he doesn’t have a great game: Shane Bond

Shane Bond, however, is hoping that Bumrah doesn’t trouble the New Zealand batters in the World Test Champions Final at The Rose Bowl. Bumrah made his Test debut in January 2018, on the tour of South Africa; he has since picked up 83 wickets in 19 Tests at a terrific average of 22.10 and has been part of both of India’s series triumph in Australia.

“I hope he doesn’t have a great game this game coming up,” Shane Bond wishes.

Meanwhile, India have announced their playing eleven for the WTC Final, although it can be changed by the toss. They have decided to go with the spin twins, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, alongside the senior pace troika.

India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

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