Jasprit Bumrah is ready for Test cricket says Ricky Ponting
One of the most successful Test captains of all time, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes India’s new pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah is ready for the longest format of the game as he possesses all the requisites that are required to succeed in that particular format. Ponting who is currently the head coach of the Mumbai Indians in IPL 2016 has seen Bumrah from close quarters and believes the young pacer is ready to don the whites for India. Bumrah,who has impressed one and all since making his debut for India in 2015, is known for his death over expertise. His pinpoint yorkers and deceptive slower ones have flummoxed most of the batsmen and he has somehow resolved India’s perennial death-bowling woes.
Talking about the youngster, Ponting said, “If you look at the skills Bumrah has and the way he has come through over the last two years, then he is ready to play Test cricket. He’s got everything. He’s got an unusual action, got good pace and with the brand new ball can get some good movement in the air."
He also added, “If India are looking for someone to come in and play Test cricket then I am sure Bumrah’s name will be in the selectors’ mind.” The 22-year-old bowler from Gujarat made his debut in the tour down under and according to Ponting the gruelling Australian sojourn has improved him as a bowler.
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Bumrah, who is trying fill in the shoes of the injured Sri Lankan speedster Lasith Malinga as the preferred death-bowler for the Mumbai Indians, has performed exceptionally well for the franchise. He has picked up 14 wickets in 13 matches at a decent economy of 7.58.
The man who led Australia to two World Cup triumphs showered praises on the young bowler, “Over the last three months, starting with the Australia tour and then the World T20, he has been a stand-out performer and he has been a stand out bowler in IPL as well.”
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Ponting sounded extremely impressed with the kind of effort the young man has put in for the franchise. Mumbai who are currently fighting for a place in the playoffs have had a topsy-turvy run in the tournament so far. They have won 7 out of their 13 matches and are currently placed 3rd in the points tally.
Acknowledging Bumrah’s role in the team, the head coach praised the youngster, “A lot of times, he has bowled the tougher overs, an over in Power Play and then generally two in death. His skills with the slower ball, yorkers and bouncers are exactly where we wanted him to be.”