The latest India call-up, Yash Thakur, has spoken highly of Jasprit Bumrah and shared his initial chats with coach Gautam Gambhir whilst the pair were together at the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Thakur revealed that his bowling idol within the Indian setup is none other than Bumrah. The 27-year-old stated that he wants to become a reliable bowler a captain can call upon whenever necessary. He aims to master the skill of death bowling, something the Mumbai Indians star is well-known for.
“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. Matches are won and lost in the final overs, and that’s where I wanted to make a difference for my team. I have carried that mindset with me throughout my career. Whether I am playing for Vidarbha, India A, or in the IPL, I see death bowling as the toughest challenge in cricket, and I want to master it. If I can perform in high-pressure situations, that is when I can truly make an impact. I admire Jasprit Bumrah a lot because he bowls brilliantly in every format and in every phase of the game. He understands the situation and adapts accordingly. I try to follow his approach, to be a bowler the captain can trust at any stage, whether it’s the powerplay, the middle overs, or the death. My goal is to be someone who can pick up wickets and win games, just like Bumrah does for India,” Yash Thakur said on JioStar.
Thakur also looked back at the advice he received from now India coach Gambhir when he was in charge of the LSG side. The former opening batter was the head coach of the Uttar Pradesh-based franchise for two seasons, in 2022 and 2023, working with the fast bowler for one season. LSG signed Thakur for INR 45 lakh during the 2023 auction and went on to take 13 wickets in his debut season.
Gambhir advised Thakur to stay true to his game regardless of the level he plays at, something the newcomer is focusing on when he is under pressure in T20 cricket.
“When I was with Lucknow Super Giants and met Gambhir bhai, I had great interactions with him from day one. He told me back then, ‘You have done well in domestic cricket. You know how to pick up wickets, and you know how to win games, so never change that mindset. The level of cricket will keep changing, from domestic to IPL to international, but don’t change yourself or your core strengths. Stick to what got you here. Trust your skills and your process.’ I still follow that advice to this day. Whenever I feel pressure, I remind myself of his words. It has helped me stay grounded and focused on my game,” Yash Thakur added on JioStar.
Thakur was one of the two pace bowlers to receive their maiden India call-ups for the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. The Gujarat Titans speedster Ashok Sharma was the other who made his international debut in the first game in Harare. Despite completing his quota of four overs, the 24-year-old went wicketless in his maiden outing donning the blue jersey.