Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri revealed how he along with skipper Virat Kohli planned Jasprit Bumrah’s debut in Test cricket.
Ever since making his debut for Team India in 2016, Jasprit Bumrah has been a match-winner for his team in all formats of the game. The right-arm pacer is currently the leader of the Indian bowling attack even in the presence of senior pacers like Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma.
After making an impact in the limited-overs format, there were many speculations about Jasprit Bumrah playing the Test format. Many were of the opinion that he cannot survive in the longest format of the game as he has weird bowling action.
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Bumrah, however, proved everyone wrong as he has evolved himself into one of the finest Test bowlers going around in the cricketing world. The pacer has become Virat Kohli’s go-to man and played a vital role in India’s famous victories overseas.
Being among the three Indian bowlers to take a Test Hat-trick, Jasprit Bumrah since making his debut in 2018 has taken more than 100 wickets in just 25 Tests so far.
There’s no doubt that Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli have played a major role in Jasprit Bumrah’s success in Test cricket. The pacer is one of the main reasons behind the Virat Kohli-led side’s success in overseas conditions.
Speaking on ‘The Ravi Shastri' Show on Star Sports, the former India head coach revealed how he planned Jasprit Bumrah’s Test debut. He said that he told selectors to not include him in the squad for the home Test series but to unleash him straight in South Africa.
"He knew. I made Bharat Arun call him up and let him know that be ready. You might just get a call up. I spoke to Virat, spoke to the selectors. I said not in India… don't even bring him into the 15 in India. Unleash him straight in South Africa. And coming to Cape Town," Ravi Shastri said.
Jasprit Bumrah is currently playing the Boxing Day Test in South Africa, a country where he made his debut in whites in 2018. The pacer impressed everyone in his debut series as he took 14 wickets in the three Tests.
(Star Sports inputs)
