Bumrah Poses Lethal Threat on Favourable Kolkata Pitch
As the first Test between India and South Africa approaches this Friday, all eyes are on pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Former Indian coach Abhishek Nayar has highlighted that the unique conditions at the venue could make the fast bowler exceptionally dangerous. Nayar specifically pointed to the black soil wicket in Kolkata as a factor that will work heavily in Bumrah's favour, making him a primary talking point for the opposition.
An Opponent's Nightmare
Nayar elaborated on the psychological and practical challenges Bumrah presents. "Those conditions, black soil, he is going to be lethal," Nayar stated. He emphasized that regardless of how much the South African team discusses strategies against Bumrah, the reality of facing him is a different challenge altogether. "When you stand and you have to face him, it's a completely different ball game," he added.
The former coach also noted that Bumrah's presence in the attack has a ripple effect. "When Bumrah is in your attack, it kind of takes away from everyone else, and your focus is solely on Jasprit Bumrah picking wickets," Nayar observed. This intense focus on one bowler often creates opportunities for others in the bowling unit, making the Indian attack collectively more potent.
Workload Management and Freshness
Addressing the critical topic of workload management, Nayar acknowledged that Bumrah has been playing a lot of cricket recently. However, he pointed out a silver lining from the recent T20 series against Australia. "Luckily, in this T20 format, there were two games that were washed out," Nayar said. This unexpected break means the star pacer will be relatively fresh and excited for the Test series, especially given the favourable bowling conditions he is about to encounter.
This discussion around managing Bumrah's overs isn't new. Earlier in the year, his decision to play only three of the five Tests against England drew sharp criticism from some quarters. In his defence, 1983 World Cup-winning seamer Balvinder Singh Sandhu slammed the critics, questioning why star batters who take breaks are rarely questioned, while a fast bowler's need for rest is constantly scrutinized.
Sandhu, who worked with Bumrah before his national debut, highlighted the brutal nature of fast bowling. He noted that over the past seven years, Bumrah has had an average of just three days off per fixture, a testament to his immense workload and the need for careful management to preserve his fitness and longevity.
