"You Don't Need To Do That": IPL Great Recalls Jasprit Bumrah's Send-Off To AB de Villiers

Former Australia cricketer Michael Hussey shared his experience the first time he faced a young Jasprit Bumrah in the Mumbai Indians nets during his brief stint with the franchise in 2014 and Hussey revealed that he couldn't have foreseen the meteoric rise of the wiry pacer, but he wasn't entirely surprised either. The former Australian batting maestro reflected on his initial encounter with Bumrah, the doubts surrounding his unconventional bowling style, and the stern advice he offered to the young pacer early in his career.

“I actually played a year with him in the IPL when I was with the Mumbai Indians,” Hussey told Willow Talk. “He was just a young kid coming through. I remember facing him in the nets and literally couldn't get bat on the ball. I felt like I was using a toothpick.”

The Aussie great was left awestruck by Bumrah's unique action and sharp pace.

“I couldn't even see the ball, let alone pick it coming out of his hand. His action is so different, so deceptive. My first impression? I honestly didn't think he'd even make it to the crease. His run-up was staggered and awkward. I remember thinking, ‘Who is this guy?' And then suddenly, woof—the ball whistles past my eyebrows at 145kph!”

At the time, Bumrah was seen as a white-ball specialist with limited potential for Test cricket. Hussey recalled the conversations swirling in Indian cricket circles back then.

“In India, there was so much scepticism. People said his action and run-up would be too hard on his body, that he wouldn't last in Test cricket,” Hussey said. “They thought he was made for white-ball cricket alone. But even back then, I could see his skills and ability. I knew that if he had the desire to play Test cricket, he could succeed.”

Hussey was