New Delhi, India

Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey lauded pacer Jasprit Bumrah while recalling his spell in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. On June 29, Rohit Sharma-led India faced South Africa in the tournament finale, in Barbados. The Men in Blue had only 30 to defend in the last five overs, after posting 176-7, with Heinrich Klaasen going bonkers at one end. Rohit turned to Bumrah who choked the run-flow before Hardik Pandya (3 for 19) chipped in with key wickets and Arshdeep Singh also bowled a brilliant penultimate over to take India home by 7 runs.

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Bumrah ended with 2 for 18 and finished with the Player-of-the-Tournament award for taking 15 wickets (third-most) at a priceless economy of 4.17. He even eased the pressure off Arshdeep, who returned with 2 for 20 in the final. Mhambrey, part of the Rahul Dravid-led coaching staff, recently heaped praise on Bumrah for his 'magical' spell and labelled him a 'leader' within the group.

'Ability to bowl the right ball at the right time doesn't come overnight'

Speaking with Hindustan Times, Mhambrey recalled the end overs of the T20 WC final where Bumrah led the charge. He said, "One word comes to my mind, that is magical. He's it's brilliant, isn't he? He is a once-in-a-generation bowler, no doubt about it. It's his skills and adaptability because he does it in all three formats, not only in T20s. He's No.1 in all three formats right now. Having skills is one thing, but executing them every time is another. Credit goes to his non-match day routines. If you look at his work ethic, you will see that he's extremely focused. The ability to bowl the right ball at the right time doesn't come overnight. He does it nine out of 10 times."

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'Whenever I see Jasprit Bumrah, I see a leader on the ground'

He further opined, "It's just the confidence that he has in his ability. He's never in doubt. That reflects in the way you see him on the ground. And that's because of his leadership skills. He is an out-and-out leader in the team. You need someone like him. Someone who has so much experience, you want him to share that experience with the other kids around. Whenever I see Jasprit Bumrah, I see a leader on the ground."

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The ex-bowling coach added, "Sometimes, it's easy to say a lot of things and not follow through. But he's a guy who will say it and then show everyone how to do it. People on the team know he's a guy who does what he says—walks the talk."

Notably, head coach Dravid, Vikram Rathour (batting coach), and Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach) ended their run with Team India post the T20 WC (co-hosted by West Indies and the USA). Only T Dilip (fielding coach) has been retained in the new coaching staff, led by new head coach Gautam Gambhir. 

Bumrah has been rested from India's upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which kicks off on July 27 (Saturday) in Pallekele. They play three T20Is and ODIs each in the island nation.