Cricket has been a constant in my life since 2002, when I was just a six-year-old boy. My earliest memory is India’s tour of New Zealand that year. I couldn’t watch the live telecast because of school, but as soon as I got home, my father and uncle recounted the day’s action with vivid excitement. “Zaheer Khan dismantled the Kiwi lineup,” they told me. Although India lost that series 2-0, but my father’s words about Zaheer Khan still echo in my ears: “Chalo, koi toh aaya Srinath ke baad jisko bhaag ke ball fekni aati ho.”

I never had the privilege of watching Javagal Srinath bowl, but Zaheer Khan quickly became my hero. I witnessed his brilliance, his ability to get inside the minds of batsmen. I remember Irfan Pathan’s fiery opening spell against Pakistan, the thrilling spectacle of India’s 2007 Test victory in England, and RP Singh’s unforgettable spell that sealed it.

Indian Cricket’s Bowling Evolution

Time marched on, and with it, a new crop of bowlers emerged. The 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy introduced us to Ishant Sharma, whose spell against Ponting was nothing short of a revelation. Praveen Kumar brought his own artistry to the game, adding to the joy of being an Indian cricket fan.
But after the glorious high of the 2011 World Cup, things took a downturn. Indian cricket endured the heartbreak of 8-0 whitewashes in consecutive tours of England and Australia. Even the once-impenetrable fortress of home was breached. The shine of our fast-bowling arsenal seemed to fade.

Hope Returns with Bhuvneshwar and Shami

Then, in late 2012, a ray of hope emerged. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the poster boy of India’s fast-bowling revival, arrived. His ability to swing the ball both ways was mesmerizing, and he cemented his place during the 2014 England tour. Around the same time, Mohammed Shami burst onto the scene, bringing raw pace and aggression to the table. Together, they rekindled our hopes and gave us something to cheer for. Now India have fast bowlers who could take 20 wickets consistently.

But fate had other plans. Injuries haunted them both, and just as quickly as the spark returned, it seemed to dim once more.
Every era in Indian cricket has been marked by its heroes, and each of them paved the way for the next generation. Zaheer, Irfan, Ishant, Bhuvi, and Shami—they all played their part.

The Arrival of Jasprit Bumrah

They say one man’s loss is another man’s opportunity, and in your case, Jasprit Bumrah, that adage couldn’t be more fitting. When you first arrived on the international stage, unorthodox and unpredictable, the cricketing world took notice. Your debut series in Australia saw India lose the ODIs 4-1, but the tables turned in the T20s. With your fiery spells, India swept the Aussies 3-0—becoming the first team to clean sweep Australia on their home soil in any format.

Within months, you became a household name. Your brilliance in white-ball cricket left fans longing to see you with the red cherry in hand. That moment came in 2018, on South African soil, and what a debut it was! In Cape Town, you announced yourself to Test cricket by dismissing none other than AB de Villiers—one of the greatest of the game. Though India lost the series, you earned the respect of fans and pundits alike. For the first time, India had a pace attack that could rattle even the strongest fortresses, whether in England, South Africa, or Australia.

Your meteoric rise continued as you became a cornerstone of India’s pace battery. But in 2022, an injury threatened to derail your journey. Critics questioned your longevity, and doubts lingered. Yet, as champions do, you rose again. The 2023 Cricket World Cup became your stage for a spectacular comeback, with performances that defied belief. And then came the crowning glory: the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Your historic spells led India to a momentous victory, etching your name into the annals of cricketing greatness.

Jasprit Bumrah; Most wickets in a test series by visiting bowler

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2024, however, became your ultimate battleground. With the regular captain absent, you took charge and led with both strategy and skill. In every match, your bowling was a testament to precision and power. The Australians, renowned for their resilience, could not hide their fear when you ran in. You shattered their confidence, becoming their tormentor-in-chief.

Although India lost the series, you emerged as the undisputed hero. Your 32 wickets in the five-match series—the most ever by a visiting player—was a record-breaking achievement. It wasn’t just the sheer volume of wickets but the impact of each one that defined your dominance. You didn’t just dismiss batsmen; you dismantled the very psyche of the opposition.

Jasprit Bumrah, you are more than a cricketer—you are a warrior, a symbol of resilience, and the architect of India’s fast-bowling revolution. From unorthodox beginnings to unshakable dominance, your journey inspires millions. As the records fall and legends grow, one thing is certain: when you bowl, the world watches in awe, and the game of cricket is better for it.