Jasprit Bumrah: India's balance point

Jasprit Bumrah: India's Balance Point

A fast bowler fielding at point is uncommon, but for India it highlights the multiple roles Jasprit Bumrah fulfills and symbolizes a larger theme of team balance.

The Unusual Position

On a warm evening in Dubai, Bumrah stood at point. Instead of running in to bowl or preparing his signature yorkers, he was stationed in a fielding position usually linked to players known for their agility, such as Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja rather than to India’s main fast bowler.

The Catch at Point

During a match against Pakistan, Bumrah caught the first legitimate ball hit to point. Saim Ayub attempted a cut shot, sending the ball directly to him. Bumrah, who has built his career around bowling angles, transitioned to catching one.

Practice and Playful Moments

"Ab toh point ka fielder ho gaya hoon main!" (I am a point fielder now!)

Two days later at the ICC Cricket Academy in Dubai, fielding coach T Dilip invited Bumrah for a drill focused on defending the area between two sets of cones. Though other players had to dive for low catches, Bumrah was mostly spared. Dilip ended the session early, saying, "I don't want to stretch you."

Conserving Energy for Matches

India avoids overworking Bumrah in the nets, preferring to save his peak effort for matches. Prior to the fielding drills on Tuesday, September 16, he gradually extended his run-up bowling to Sanju Samson until reaching full length.

"I don't want to stretch you." – Fielding coach T Dilip

Author’s summary: Jasprit Bumrah exemplifies India’s cricket team balance by embracing diverse roles on the field, combining his unique bowling craft with unexpected contributions in fielding.

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Cricbuzz.com — 2025-11-06