The IPL 2025 Eliminator on Friday featuring Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans was yet another delightful for cricket fans. It was yet another opportunity to observe a genius at his peak.
Mumbai Indians thrived in their advantage on the grand stage. In a strategic move, the five-time champions opted to bat first in Mullanpur – just a day after Punjab Kings were bowled out for 101 at the same location.
Fueled by Rohit Sharma’s 81 runs off 50 balls, a fierce display from Jonny Bairstow, alongside significant input from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik himself, Mumbai amassed an imposing total of 228.
The genius of Jasprit Bumrah
Captain Hardik Pandya put it simply: figuring out when to bowl Bumrah is straightforward.
Whenever the match appears to be drifting, he recognizes it’s time to give him the ball. It’s the identical mantra that ex-captain Rohit Sharma adhered to for years.
Opposing teams steer clear of risks when facing Bumrah – unless it’s absolutely required. Nowadays, even his full tosses receive respect.
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Bumrah’s bowling fails to provoke oohs and ahhs from his teammates and coaches. They observe him at the nets consistently, and have grown used to his excellence. What is a dream delivery for ordinary players, Bumrah executes for enjoyment. Many batsmen, from Ollie Pope to Washington, can confirm that.
The master avoids any elaborate techniques. He simply adheres to the fundamentals and carries out tasks flawlessly. His thinking operates like that of a chess grandmaster. Bumrah’s bowling resembles The Beatles’ music — short, three-chord, and emotionally mixed — shining in its straightforwardness. And this is a player who challenges the law of averages.
Best to bowl for India
Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional skill is attributed to his distinctive bowling style, making him hard to read. His unconventional approach, paired with his remarkable skill set, enables him to deliver yorkers precisely and achieve bounce from the surface. He also creates speed and can swing the ball, making him a dynamic and effective bowler.
Bumrah is undoubtedly a genius, arguably the best to bowl for India. However, it is something that makes him so se special. It is the ability to produce yorkers at will. That’s why they call him ‘the best in the world’ across the formats.
