‘I wondered how someone could bowl so fast with that action’ – Mohammed Shami recalls his first impression of Jasprit Bumrah

Gone are those days when Team India had the dearth of tearaway fast bowlers, who can set the speed gun on fire. The current Indian bowling attack has many speedsters who have troubled the best of batters. In fact, the Indian pacers, at the Under-19 World Cup 2022, played a vital role in taking the side to the glory. Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami is among the finest pacers in the country, and he threw light on the evolution of Indian fast bowlers.

Shami asserted that the entire bowling attack has gone under a massive revamp after the 2015 World Cup. Highlighting the team’s recent success in foreign soils, the fast bowler said India have been giving ‘befitting’ replies to everyone. The veteran cricketer also said that the current Indian bowlers are keen to contribute in other departments as well.

We have won everywhere, given befitting replies everywhere: Mohammed Shami

“There is a lot of difference between earlier teams and this one, and the difference in results especially is immense. The fast bowling unit, or even the overall bowling unit, that we formed after 2015 is on a different level. Be it in fielding, fitness or batting, we have changed completely compared to the old Indian team. We have won everywhere, given befitting replies everywhere,” Shami was quoted as saying by the Indian Express.

“If you look at the contribution of the bowling unit, understand the boys have contributed with the bat also,” he added. Meanwhile, Shami also recalled his first impression of fellow pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

“The first time I saw him was during the IPL. It felt a bit strange seeing him because of his bowling action. I wondered how someone could bowl so fast with that action and where he got the power from. When he got drafted in the Indian team, I knew him better. He performed and became part of the Test team. Today, you see a different Jasprit Bumrah. He has such control, he has everything,” recalled Shami.

On being asked about the one skill he would like to take from Bumrah, the 31-year-old said: “The one thing I would love to have from him is his yorker. Such a lovely ball. It’s fun to bowl together. With the kind of Test match bowling we have now, I don’t think we ever had such a period in our cricketing history. If you look at our graph for the last five years, I feel it is the highest. I enjoy bowling with Jassi, Umesh, Ishant and all of them.”