Mumbai Indians (MI) head coach Mahela Jayawardene lauded star pacer Jasprit Bumrah as an ideal player to work with ahead of the IPL 2025 season. The 31-year-old, who has been a key part of the franchise since making his IPL debut in 2013, has played a crucial role in MI’s five title wins.
Bumrah had a stellar IPL 2024 campaign, claiming 20 wickets at an average of 16.80 and an economy rate of 6.48, despite MI finishing at the bottom of the table. His remarkable form extended beyond the IPL, as he played a vital role in India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.
The star pacer further showcased his brilliance during India’s Test series in Australia, earning the Player of the Series award despite the team’s overall loss. In an interview with ‘Wisden Cricket Monthly’, as quoted by ‘Hindustan Times’, Jayawardene shared his admiration for Bumrah.
“Bumrah is a coach’s dream to work with. He is very low maintenance. The Jasprit of today came from putting his hand up and taking on tough challenges, knowing that he has the confidence and self-belief to deliver. He has always been a man of few words, but he’s had a lasting impact on those who have sought his advice.”
He further added: “He will do his training in the nets and then spend time with the other bowlers and is able to guide them on what they should do, rather than telling them what works for him.”
“So it is not just running up and hitting the line and length, but being masterful in thinking and then executing it to perfection that leaves the batsman thinking about the next ball if he survives this one. And this is his mindset for all three formats.”
Mahela Jayawardene Praises Jasprit Bumrah as a Dream Player Ahead of IPL 2025
Mahela Jayawardene praised Jasprit Bumrah for his authenticity, noting that he prefers to stay in his personal space off the field. Bumrah was among the five players MI retained for IPL 2025, alongside Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma.
“He has a shell that he keeps to, once off the field and that keeps him in a sweet spot, like sometimes preferring to spend time in the hotel room if it’s a break day, because that is what gives him the most joy.”
“Over the years, Jasprit has shown what a genuine and good human being he is. And that has translated to the cricket field as well,” said Jayawardene.
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