“He is going to be the leader of the attack for a very long time” - When Gautam Gambhir accurately predicted the phenomenal rise of Jasprit Bumrah 

Jasprit Bumrah has solidified his position as one of India’s top bowlers, leading the country’s pace attack across all formats for several years. However, in January 2021, when Bumrah had played just 17 Tests, India’s current head coach Gautam Gambhir voiced his strong conviction that Bumrah would lead the pace attack for many more years.

At that time, Bumrah was sidelined from the fourth and final Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba due to an abdomen strain and had yet to play any Test matches in India. Until then, all 17 of his Test appearances had been overseas, where he had taken 79 wickets.

Speaking on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected, Gambhir shared his view that Bumrah would be even more dangerous in India and emphasized that the management would need to take extra care of him. He stated:

"He hasn’t played a Test match in India till now, Has he? He hasn’t. So, I’m sure the Indian team management has looked after Jasprit Bumrah reasonably well. They have actually used him in places like England, South Africa and Australia, where he has got to be even more threatening."

"He is going to be even more threatening in India, where wickets can get low and slow and he can reverse the ball really well. But then again, you got to look after him as well, because he is going to be the leader of the attack for a very long time," he added.

Recently, India secured victory in the first Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy under stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

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Jasprit Bumrah has taken 423 wickets for India across all formats

Jasprit Bumrah made his India debut in 2016 during an ODI against Australia and has since played 89 matches in the format, taking 149 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls. He was outstanding in the 2023 ODI World Cup, claiming 20 wickets in 11 innings as India finished as runners-up.

The 31-year-old has also represented India in 70 T20Is, collecting 89 wickets. Bumrah played a key role in India's victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. He took 15 wickets in eight innings, averaging 8.26, with an impressive economy rate of 4.17.

In addition, the pacer has played 42 Tests, taking 185 wickets, including 11 five-wicket hauls. Overall, he has claimed 423 wickets across all formats in 201 matches.