Rise of Jasprit Bumrah – from IPL talent to world-class bowler

Tracing Jasprit Bumrah’s remarkable journey from IPL discovery to one of the world’s most feared fast bowlers.

Since the beginning of 2021, Jasprit Bumrah has picked up 74 wickets in 53 innings of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has carried a sensational average of just 19.53 with an economy rate of under seven. India’s premier pacer has recorded a sensational dot ball percentage of 45.1 in 207.3 overs. This is a jaw-dropping modern-aged number for someone who bowls most of his overs in the powerplay and death overs.

In the same period, Bumrah has collected 261 wickets in international cricket at an average of 18.48 and a strike rate of just 32.60. More specifically, the right-arm fast bowler dismissed 62 batters in T20Is at an economy rate of mind-boggling 6.34.

In the 90s and early 2000s, the moment that mattered the most to India fans was the arrival of Sachin Tendulkar at the crease. There used to be applause with every cover drive and pin-drop silence for each dismissal. Indian cricket moved forward within the calm atmosphere of MS Dhoni and the relentless intensity of Virat Kohli. Every generation found its own cricketer to trust.

But on most occasions, it was a batter-oriented game in this country, until they placed their faith in a bowler. When Bumrah stands on his mark, the crowd erupts with only one name. The roaring fans remain in anticipation of something special. Meanwhile, the opponents pray hard to somehow dodge another smart and fiery spell.

Jasprit Bumrah grows in smartness & consistency across formats
It was during a domestic T20 contest in Ahmedabad when the former Mumbai Indians (MI) talent scout, John Wright, discovered Bumrah in 2013. In that season, he made his debut against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and ended with debut figures of 3/32, including the wicket of Virat Kohli.

Over the years, he has grown in stature. The Gujarat bowler has been exceptional with an economy rate of 6.71 and 6.84 in IPL, respectively, during the powerplay and middle overs. His death overs’ economy rate is just 8.19, which is the best since his debut among those who bowled over 30 overs in that period.

Fig 1: Jasprit Bumrah’s performance break-up in IPL career

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Bumrah’s performance breakup in IPL
Bumrah’s action was hard to pick at the start, but he was not regular with the line and length. His IPL performance reflected the same with 26 wickets at an economy rate of 8.45 between 2013 and 2016. For the next four seasons, he bagged 83 wickets in the IPL at an economy rate of 6.91.

During that phase, Bumrah had a brilliant dot ball percentage of 43.33, which creates pressure and opens the door of picking wickets from the other end. Subsequently, since 2021, he has recorded 74 wickets in 207.3 overs at an economy rate of just 6.96.

Fig 2: Jasprit Bumrah’s IPL performance breakup

Jasprit Bumrah’s international performance breakup
Since his international debut in 2016, Bumrah has picked up 243 wickets across formats in the first five years at an average of 22.64. For the last five years and three months, the MI star claimed 261 international wickets in 1420 overs at an average of only 18.48.

Among those who have picked 200 Test wickets, Bumrah’s average of 19.79 stands at the top. He currently has 234 wickets at that average in 99 innings.

Fig 3: Jasprit Bumrah’s international performance breakup

Read More: Statistical Highlights of India’s victorious T20 World Cup 2026 campaign

Jasprit Bumrah’s contribution in ICC events
There is no way Bumrah won’t find himself among the top five wicket-takers in terms of ICC events’ performance. In the ODI World Cup 2023, he picked up 20 wickets in 11 innings at 18.65.

The veteran had an economy rate of just 4.17 in the T20 WC 2024 with 15 wickets. Subsequently, in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026, he bagged 14 wickets at an economy rate of 6.21.

Fig 4: Jasprit Bumrah in ICC events since 2023

Jasprit Bumrah’s rise across formats since 2021
Since the beginning of 2021, Bumrah has taken his game to a different level. In the longest format, he has picked up 158 wickets at an average of just 19.36, while in the shortest format, the pacer has registered 62 wickets at an economy rate of mind-blowing 6.34.

Fig 5: Jasprit Bumrah’s international performance since 2021

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Art & Artist: Slower balls of Jasprit Bumrah
On a simple note, there is no one currently better than Jasprit Bumrah to bowl slower deliveries. It still sounds crazy that teams, despite being under pressure, take a careful approach against the pacer. The climbing required run rate from Bumrah’s overs gets distributed among the rest of the attack.

During the T20 WC 2026 semifinal in Mumbai, Bumrah conceded just eight runs in the 18th over during the close encounter against England. Naturally, both Sam Curran and Jacob Bethell went searching against Hardik Pandya in the penultimate over and paid the price.

“That is the price you pay for (Bumrah’s) excellence – you cannot afford others to have a good day,” is how Nasser Hussain summed up Bumrah’s expertise.

“That slower ball of his is like a curveball in Baseball. It’s absolutely brilliant. You think with these great fast bowlers, when do they plateau? Bumrah, with each big tournament or big series, is enhancing his reputation,” Damien Fleming said on the Fast Bowling Cartel podcast.

During the 18th over of the semifinal, the 32-year-old cut his run-up a little bit, but most importantly, all of his yorkers were on the blockhole. In the final against New Zealand, the slower ball dipped menacingly, beating Mitchell Santner, who went for the drive. The ball sneaked through and crashed into the stumps with Santner returning with a beaming smile.

In putting belief on the batter, every delivery carries tension. In the case of the bowlers, every ball could be box-office. And with Bumrah, more often than not, the trust settles in. His clarity and mindset over the years have changed, and the India fans and the team have experienced it under pressure.

The entire country hopes to see Bumrah maintain his fitness. His back is perhaps the most important thing in this country’s cricket. After all, it is carrying the weight of billions’ hope and pride.

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