‘Ravi bhai, sabse mushkil hai isko khelna' - Bharat Arun recalls Virat Kohli's struggles against young Jasprit Bumrah

Former India skipper Virat Kohli was mighty impressed with a young Jasprit Bumrah, when the latter first managed to break into the Test team. He outsmarted Kohli with his bowling in the nets and the cricketer later revealed that it was really difficult for him to pick the ace pacer.

Meanwhile, Bumrah by then had already established his authority in white-ball cricket. Now, looking at his performance in the nets, Kohli apparently went straight to Shastri and revealed that it was difficult for him to decipher Bumrah’s release point. Recalling all this, Bharat Arun mentioned that Kohli even stated that he picks Bumrah a fraction later than the other bowlers.

“We went about 10 days early to South Africa. We had a centre-wicket practice. And Virat was so impressed with Bumrah. I still vividly remember Virat, after playing him, came to Ravi and said, ‘Ravi bhai, sabse mushkil hai isko khelna. Mujhe pata nehi lag raha hai kab woh release kar raha hai (Ravi, he was the toughest bowler to face. I couldn’t figure out when he is releasing the ball)...and I pick him a fraction later than the other bowlers',” Arun said in a conversation with Cricbuzz on the first episode of ‘Rise of New India’.

Meanwhile, ahead of his debut match, Bumrah revealed that he wasn't really bowling to his full potential because he felt that the wicket was unfair to the batters. Arun stated that at that very moment, he was sure that Bumrah will be making his debut in the first Test against South Africa.

“Then we took a closer look and said that the first Test we can definitely go with Bumrah because he was quick. I also remember him telling me that the wickets were nice and juicy. He said, 'Sir, I am not going all out because it is not fair. These wickets are too helpful. I am not going all out because they are our batters'. This to me was really, really impressive. Everyone who played him were impressed with Bumrah in that practice session. Hence, it was a no-brainer to play Bumrah instantly in the first Test,” Arun said.

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