Former India skipper Virat Kohli was mighty impressed with a young Jasprit Bumrah, when the latter first managed to break into the Test team. He outsmarted Kohli with his bowling in the nets and the cricketer later revealed that it was really difficult for him to pick the ace pacer.
“We went about 10 days early to South Africa. We had a centre-wicket practice. And Virat was so impressed with Bumrah. I still vividly remember Virat, after playing him, came to Ravi and said, ‘Ravi bhai, sabse mushkil hai isko khelna. Mujhe pata nehi lag raha hai kab woh release kar raha hai (Ravi, he was the toughest bowler to face. I couldn’t figure out when he is releasing the ball)…and I pick him a fraction later than the other bowlers’,” Arun said in a conversation with Cricbuzz on the first episode of ‘Rise of New India’.
“Then we took a closer look and said that the first Test we can definitely go with Bumrah because he was quick. I also remember him telling me that the wickets were nice and juicy. He said, ‘Sir, I am not going all out because it is not fair. These wickets are too helpful. I am not going all out because they are our batters’. This to me was really, really impressive. Everyone who played him were impressed with Bumrah in that practice session. Hence, it was a no-brainer to play Bumrah instantly in the first Test,” Arun said.
