Jasprit Bumrah, along with Mitchell McClenaghan and Tim Southee, forms the triumvirate which has operated exceedingly well for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing Vivo IPL-9.
The Gujarat fast bolwer has taken 14 wickets at 26.00 in 13 matches as against a collection of 11 wickets in 17 matches in the previous three seasons. Is he ready for Test cricket? One of Australia’s finest cricketers and MI head coach Ricky Ponting believes so, because he has the skills.
After offering tips to a group of Mumbai youngsters at the Videocon d2h cricket coaching clinic at the Islam Gymkhana on Monday, Ponting made an elaborate assessment of the upcoming fast bowler.
“It’s always hard to know if someone is ready because Test match cricket is a physical strain on bowlers. But if you look at the skills that Bumrah has, then you can say he is ready to play (Test cricket). He came of an injury last year. His fitness was not at the level it needed to be. But over the last few months, in particular, starting with a tour of Australia and in the World T20 and this entire IPL as well, he has been a standout.”
“As Bondy (Shane Bond) said we have been lucky to have all three (McClenaghan, Southee and Bumrah) having an excellent tournament. Jasprit may not have taken as many wickets as McClenaghan, but the skills that he has displayed has been outstanding.
“He’s bowled the tougher overs, two in the PowerPlay and generally two at the death; and his skills with the slower balls, yorkers and bouncers were exactly where we wanted them to be. Full credit to Shane.
“Bumrah has an unusual action, good pace and with the brand new ball, he can get some movement in the air. So if India is looking for someone to come in, Bumrah’s name will be in the selectors’ mind,” said Ponting.
Talking about Krunal Pandya’s effort with the bat, Ponting said: “He’s made an impact wherever he’s batted; 3, 5, 6 and 7. It’s not about how many runs he’s got, but how he’s got them.”
When asked what he will do if and when an offer comes to coach India, Ponting said: “I never say never to opportunities. But I’m happy with the couple of jobs that I have now.
“I have a young family, so it will be difficult to coach any international team for 10 or 11 months a year.
“Who should be the coach, that’s for the BCCI and the Test match captain to decide. You are not going to find many candidates better than him (Rahul Dravid).
“He understands all three formats of the game. Whoever Virat (Kohli) wants around the Test match team, I think the BCCI will listen to him.”
