India’s bowling attack often looks completely different when Jasprit Bumrah is not on the field and that reality has become hard to ignore. The star pacer has carried India’s bowling hopes for years, delivering under pressure even while managing injuries. India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has openly acknowledged Bumrah’s unmatched value, calling him the best fast bowler in the world, while also shedding light on the heavy expectations which come with that tag.
Speaking during the fourth T20I against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam, Morne Morkel praised Jasprit Bumrah’s skill but reminded everyone that even elite players feel pressure. He explained that there is a constant belief that Bumrah will produce something special every time he bowls and that kind of expectation can weigh heavily on any player. According to Morkel, having someone to talk to and share those pressures with is crucial, no matter how good a bowler is.
In the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, pacers face intense mental and physical demands. There is always a critical over to defend, a wicket that must be taken or a mistake that can instantly change the match. Jasprit Bumrah has a rare ability to stay calm in those moments but the stress never truly disappears.
Morne Morkel pointed out that modern T20 teams often depend on a few reliable overs and for India, Jasprit Bumrah has become that safety net. However, he warned that relying too heavily on one bowler can be dangerous. He stressed the importance of regular communication, saying he constantly checks with Bumrah to ensure he is comfortable with the plans. Morne Morkel compared Bumrah to a high-performance sports car Ferrari, explaining that when everything is managed well, the results speak for themselves.
India have experimented with their bowling combinations throughout the series against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and lead spinner Varun Chakravarthy have all been rested at different stages. Morne Morkel clarified that this rotation is not only about managing workloads but also about staying unpredictable ahead of the T20 World Cup. By testing different combinations now, India hopes to prevent opponents from building fixed strategies against their bowling attack.
