Don't worry, we have Bumrah

India finally wins an ICC tournament, but I was reflecting on a side story after the win.

There was a moment in India vs Pak game last month. A Child was disheartened that India's total seemed very small and Pakistan was cruising towards the target. His Father cheered him up with, don't worry .. we have Bumrah. And then the boy saw what happened next, and then he became a fan.

https://x.com/i/status/1799889813585510649

We had games when ball was keeping low, when it was swinging, when the wind was a factor, when the wicket was slow, when the wicket was fast, and you get the drift ... but there was one constant. Bumrah was there!

Come to the final, India's total was good but not safe. SA innings starts and then he gives you a wicket with a dream delivery. 'What a ball, what a bowler' ...kind of goosebumps!

And then SA start their charge, and then they cruise like Pakistan were doing and then it seemed all hopeless. But... watch out for what commentators were saying.

After the powerplay: SA need to be ahead they can't keep things to the end, 30 runs from 2 or 3 overs are very different when you have 2 of them from Bumrah !

When Heinrich Klaasen was showing his class, and all hopes were lost:  Rohit surely needs to bring Bumrah NOW, if there is anything that can happen for India, it is that guy!

After the match is finished: Rohit, Arshdeep and Axar were brilliant, Kuldeep showed his class in the tournament but how do you explain this guy, Jasprit Bumrah ?

So how do you explain Bumrah ? It is not the statistics, neither the wickets tally that does justice to him. It is the belief that people have on him. The pundits, his captains, the opposition and the fans. Here is a bowler who is at top of his game, sure of his skills and beyond the need of any external validation. Absolute Genius!

There was a time in the final when I was resigned to the fact that SA are winning the cup, I was in fact OK with this. Why? Because if India cannot win it, my second favorite would be SA .... always. I was planning to switch off the tv and go to sleep but not before... you know, Bumrah bowls!

And he bowls, and the buzz is back, India is in the game. There are very few players who have this ability, who become more than just good players. Who carry the belief of a nation on their shoulders with such consistency and spunk. Players who come once in a generation and Bumrah is one of them!