News

A special spell from a special bowler: Reliving Boom’s magic

By Mumbai Indians

Read it in Hindi.

Read it in Marathi.

The world may have witnessed some truly magical Jasprit Bumrah spells in the Tata IPL over the years but arguably, none come close to what he produced on May 9th, 2022.

Boom picked up figures of 5/10, the best by any bowler this season, and the second-best figures by an Indian bowler in Tata IPL history. It was his first five-wicket haul in T20 cricket.

What was more remarkable was that it included an incredible triple-wicket maiden in the KKR innings’ 18th over - a point where most teams are at their attacking best. He also just gave away one run in the last over of the innings.

Oh, and also, Boom bowled 18 dot balls - which equates to three of the four overs he bowled on the night.

There was no other candidate to win the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

First brought into the attack in the fourth over, Boom conceded a boundary in his first ball as Ajinkya Rahane guided a back-of-a-length delivery past backward point. It would prove to be the only boundary he conceded all night.

Boom gave away just one more run in that over and also beat Venkatesh Iyer’s edge with some good seam movement off the deck.

Skipper Rohit Sharma then held him back to counter the powerful Andre Russell in the slog overs. That plan worked to perfection.

Boom came back into the attack in the 15th over and with his second ball, got one to climb into Russell at pace, who could only sky his pull to Polly at long-on.

Boom then repeated that ploy against the dangerous Nitish Rana, bowling a barely-playable bouncer at his head, which caught the batter’s glove enroute to Ishan Kishan.

Then came that magnificent 18th over.

Boom is well-known for his deadly yorkers and he was also smart enough to recognise that the batters will be ready for it. So instead, he steamed in and bowled short at a surprised Sheldon Jackson, who could only mistime his shot to deep square leg, where Dan Sams took an excellent diving catch.

Two balls later, Boom went short with pace to Pat Cummins, who top-edged one to Tilak Varma.

In the very next ball, Boom changed his angle to round the wicket, hurried Sunil Narine with a rapid length ball and then ran forward to complete the return catch and complete a terrific five-wicket haul.

Tim Southee faced the hat-trick ball and Boom went for the yorker this time, which the KKR batter just kept out.

Boom then bowled the innings’ final over and Rinku Singh was unable to score big despite his best efforts, eventually managing a single off the last ball.

The result may not have gone our way but Jasprit Bumrah definitely produced a spell for the ages.