"I looked at Jasprit Bumrah bowling replays": Marco Jansen
New Delhi, March 4
South Africa's speedster Marco Jansen revealed he tried to replicate India's ace Jasprit Bumrah's bowling technique after watching his replays from the first Test match in Kolkata last year.
Jansen said he tried Bumrah's bowling technique in the warm-up games of the ongoing T20 World Cup and felt the ball was actually moving off the wicket with quick and sharp movement of the pitch.
"In the first Test match [in Kolkata], I looked at [Jasprit Bumrah], at the replays of his wickets, and I saw from his hand and the ball that there were so many revs on the ball. I figured, let me just try and emulate what he's doing," Jansen said as per ESPNcricinfo.
"So in the warm-up, I did it, and it looked like something was happening. It seemed like the ball was actually moving off the wicket, and it was like that sharp, quick movement. Then I tried it in the match, and I took two wickets quickly, and I just sort of stuck with it and went with it."
Jansen's remarks came ahead of the Proteas semi-final clash against New Zealand at the same venue where he tried to replicate Bumrah's bowling technique, Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
South Africa and New Zealand have traversed very different paths to get to their semifinal destinations. Jansen has had a brilliant outing in the T20 WC so far with the ball, scalping 11 wickets in five matches at an average of 16.72.
Squads:
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock(w), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith.
New Zealand Squad: Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner(c), Cole McConchie, Matt Henry, Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy, James Neesham, Kyle Jamieson, Devon Conway.
— ANI
Reader Comments
It's fascinating to see the cross-pollination of techniques in modern cricket. Jansen is a smart bowler to recognize and adapt something that works. Shows great humility and a desire to learn from the best, regardless of nationality.
Haha, even our opponents are trying to copy Bumrah's magic! But let's be honest, that unique action and release point come from years of gully cricket and natural talent. You can try, but you can't truly replicate a genius. 😄
Respect to Jansen for admitting this. It takes a big heart. Bumrah's success is a masterclass in overcoming unconventional beginnings. From a kid with an awkward action to the bowler everyone studies – what a journey!
While it's flattering, I hope our bowlers and coaches are also studying others. We shouldn't get complacent. Other teams are constantly evolving. We need to keep innovating, not just be the ones being copied.
Imagine the pressure on Bumrah knowing every young bowler and even established pros are dissecting his every delivery! He handles it with such calm. True champion mentality. All the best to Jansen though, seems like a thoughtful player.
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