'Ye Bumrah-Vumrah...': What Virat Kohli Said About A Young Jasprit Bumrah In IPL 2014

Back in 2013, the Indian Premier League (IPL) welcomed a young bowler named Jasprit Bumrah into its fold with the Mumbai Indians (MI). Fast forward to 2015, and suddenly, everyone was buzzing about this breakout star who had emerged from the shadows.

Bumrah's stellar performances caught the eye of national selectors, earning him a coveted spot in the Indian squad. Since then, he's been nothing short of a sensation, consistently delivering jaw-dropping displays on the cricket field.

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But here's the twist: despite his undeniable talent, not everyone immediately saw Bumrah's potential. Can you believe it? Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel spilled the beans in 2022, revealing that he had been singing Bumrah's praises to none other than Virat Kohli during IPL 2014. Yet, surprisingly, Kohli wasn't quite convinced at the time. Imagine that!

Now, as Bumrah continues to shine brightly, leading his team to IPL glory and becoming a linchpin in India's bowling attack, one can't help but wonder: What if fate had led him to don the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) jersey instead?

Jasprit Bumrah was proposed as potential addition to RCB

In 2014, when I was at RCB, I told Kohli there¡¯s this bowler named Bumrah. Have a look at him. Virat replied saying 'Chhor na yaar. Ye Bumrah-Vumrah kya karenge?' (Leave it. What will such players do?)" Patel disclosed to Cricbuzz.

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Having closely observed Bumrah during his Ranji Trophy days with Gujarat, Patel held a high regard for the youngster's talent. However, Kohli's lack of interest at the time didn't deter Bumrah's eventual rise.

Japrit Bumrah's early challenges

Patel emphasized that Bumrah's dedication and perseverance played a pivotal role in shaping his bowling prowess, both in the IPL and on the international stage.

"When he was first picked, Bumrah played Ranji Trophy for the first 2-3 years. 2013 was his first year, and he didn¡¯t have a good season in 2014. In 2015, it was so bad that there was discussion(s) going on that he might have to be sent back home mid-season. But, he slowly began improving and Mumbai Indians really backed him. It was his own hard work and such backing that really brought out the best in him," he elaborated.

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Bumrah's journey from being overlooked to becoming one of the world's premier bowlers stands as a testament to his resilience and unwavering commitment to excellence.

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