Former Australian cricketer Michael Hussey narrated a fascinating anecdote from his stint with Mumbai Indians (MI), involving star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
Hussey opened up on having a word with Bumrah during an IPL 2014 fixture between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
In this particular match, Bumrah dismissed AB de Villiers and gave him a fiery send-off, gesturing towards the pavilion.
“He burst onto the scene in the IPL. I remember having one stern word with him, though. In one of his early games, he got AB de Villiers out, obviously a great of the game and gave him a big send-off, and AB wasn’t too happy about it. He sort of stared him down, and I remember just pulling Bumrah aside and saying, ‘mate, you don’t need to do that," Hussey told Willow Talk Podcast.
"You have got that much skill that much talent, getting the wicket is enough. That’s the biggest sledge you can give, you don’t need to give send-offs if you want to have respect in the game and get respected by your peers then maybe just don’t give send-offs’," he added.
Bumrah has been the star performer for India in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. While the right-arm quick claimed a match haul of eight wickets in the Perth Test win, he returned with four scalps in the pink-ball Test loss at the Adelaide Oval.
Bumrah also proved his worth in the rain-soaked third Test at the Gabba, picking up nine wickets in the match, which ended in a draw.
“He is such a humble and down to earth guy, it was bit off out of character for Bumrah. He is such a great guy. I love watching him bowl. He always got that smile on his face, he is always calms, consistent with his character. He doesn’t get too emotional and obviously a great talent," said Hussey.
Having made his Test debut in 2018, Jasprit Bumrah has claimed 194 wickets in 43 matches at a remarkable average of 19.53, including 12 five-wicket hauls.
When Bumrah started out, few gave him a chance to succeed at the Test level because of his unorthodox bowling action.
"Not really surprised. He is unbelievable. I actually played a year with him in the IPL. I had one year at the Mumbai Indians. He was just a young kid coming through and I remember facing him in the nets and literally couldn’t get bat on ball. I felt like I was using a toothpick. I remember thinking oh I can’t even see the ball, can’t even pick the ball coming out of his hand. His action is so unique," said Hussey.
"First impression I didn’t thought he will even get to the crease. He was staggering with his run up and I was like what’s going on here, who the heck is this guy and then suddenly woof the ball whistles past my eyebrows at 145kph," he added.
Hussey also recalled the chatter about Bumrah when the latter first played the IPL. “In India, initially all the talks were like how he will only succeed in the white ball cricket with that bowling action and that run up. It is too much pressure on the body. He can’t play Test cricket,” Hussey said.
“But I always thought nah he has got the skills and ability and if he has the desire to play Test cricket he could and isn’t he doing it bloody well at the moment,” he remarked.
