Virat Kohli asked me to stick to strength & not copy anyone, says Bumrah imitator Mahesh Kumar

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) led by India captain Virat Kohli had a disastrous start to their campaign in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 as they were bundled out for 70 by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) who then won the game by 7 wickets. RCB next play a strong Mumbai Indians (MI) on their own turf on Thursday and the franchise is leaving no stone unturned in its preparation for the big clash.

One of RCB’s major threat could be Jasprit Bumrah, the ace pacer who though did not have a good game against Delhi Capitals (DC) last Sunday. The skiddy fast bowler also hurt his shoulder in the final over of the DC innings, leaving not just his own franchise but all Indian supporters nervous for he is going to be the Men in Blue’s major hop in the upcoming World Cup.

Bumrah did not bowl at the nets in M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Tuesday but the audience was surprised to see another bowler copying him identically at the nets, though for the RCB. With an exact bowling action of Bumrah, the youngster could not be identified first but later it was revealed that he is Mahesh Kumar. The 22-year-old has been bowling at the RCB nets since last season and also bowled at the Team India nets in 2017. He said his bowling received an appreciation and he has been bowling at India players since then.

Nehra invited Mahesh Kumar to bowl at nets

Kumar, who hails from Karnataka, was invited by RCB bowling coach Ashish Nehra to bowl at the nets. He even spoke to Kohli and prized the conversation. “Talking to Virat Kohli was special. He asked me to stick to my strengths and not copy anyone,” Mahesh was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

The bowler had a memorable day at the RCB nets ahead of the MI clash not just because he pleasantly surprised the viewers with his perfect imitation of Bumrah but also because Nehra gifted him a pair of shoes.

The Ashwin-Buttler controversy doesn’t seem to die:

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