The most recent India call-up, Yash Thakur, lauded Jasprit Bumrah and talked about his early interactions with coach Gautam Gambhir while they were both at the Indian Premier League (IPL) Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
Bumrah is his favourite bowler in the Indian lineup, according to Thakur. The 27-year-old stated that his goal is to become a trustworthy bowler who a captain can rely on. “Ever since I started playing senior white-ball cricket for Vidarbha, I set one clear goal for myself: to become a specialist at death bowling,” he says of his desire to master the Mumbai Indians star’s signature death bowling method.
Final overs are where games are won and lost, therefore I wanted to help my team there. Throughout my career, I have maintained that approach. I consider death bowling to be the hardest challenge in cricket, and I want to become an expert at it whether I’m playing for Vidarbha, India A, or the IPL. I can really make a difference if I can execute under pressure.
Jasprit Bumrah bowls excellently in every format and at every stage of the game, which is why I much like him. He recognises the circumstances and makes the necessary adjustments. I make an effort to adopt his strategy in order to be a bowler the captain can rely on in every situation, be it the middle overs, the powerplay, or the final overs. Yash Thakur stated on JioStar, “I want to be someone who can win games and take wickets like Bumrah does for India.
Thakur also considered the advice he got from the current India coach while Gambhir was in charge of the LSG team.
The former opening batsman coached the Uttar Pradesh-based squad for two seasons, in 2022 and 2023, and spent one season working with the fast bowler. After being acquired by LSG for INR 45 lakh at the 2023 auction, Thakur claimed 13 wickets in his first season.
Regardless of the level at which he plays, Thakur is focused on remaining true to his game under pressure in T20 cricket, as Gambhir instructed. “I had great interactions with Gambhir bhai from day one when I was with Lucknow Super Giants.” “You have done well in domestic cricket,” he said to me at the time. Never alter your mindset because you know how to win games and take wickets.
Don’t alter who you are or your basic abilities, even though the level of cricket will constantly change—from domestic to IPL to international. Remain true to what brought you here. Have faith in your abilities and your method.Even now, I still heed that counsel. I think of his remarks whenever I’m under pressure. Yash Thakur continued on JioStar, “It has helped me stay grounded and focused on my game.”
Thakur was one of two pace bowlers called up for the first time by India for the three-match Twenty20 International series against Zimbabwe. Ashok Sharma, a speedster for the Gujarat Titans, also made his international debut in the opening game in Harare. The 24-year-old completed his permitted four overs in his maiden outing in the blue jersey, but he went wicketless.
