Before making his test debut, Ravi Shastri recalls speaking with Jasprit Bumrah, saying, “I Wanted to See How Hungry He Was.”

The previous head coach of India, Ravi Shastri, recalls talking with Jasprit Bumrah about his goals to play Test cricket. Bumrah debuted in the ODI and T20I formats during the 2016 India tour of Australia, but he had to wait a few more years to get called up for a Test match.

The 30-year-old, who was just ranked as the top bowler in the ICC Test rankings, is now leading the Indian pace attack. By doing this, he became the first Indian pacer to do so.

The 30-year-old’s speed was evident in the second Test match against England, as he amassed an incredible match total of 9/91 and was a key factor in India’s win that leveled the series.

Former England captain Michael Atherton, a writer for “The Times,” asked Shastri about his meeting with Bumrah, in which the bowler informed him that playing a Test would be the “biggest day” of his life. Shastri recalled this exchange.

“I recall making my very first call to him from Kolkata. I inquired whether he would be keen in playing Test cricket. Shastri said, “He said that would be the biggest day of his life.”

Without question, he was called a white-ball cricket player. However, I was aware. I was interested in his level of hunger. I advised him to prepare himself. I promised him that I would let him loose in South Africa.

In January 2018, Bumrah played his first Test match in Cape Town against South Africa.

“He’s thrilled to be participating and performing well in Test cricket,” Shastri said, refuting the idea that Bumrah was only known for his white-ball exploits during his IPL tenure with the Mumbai Indians.

He was itching to play Test matches alongside captain Virat Kohli. They are aware that nobody really recalls white ball averages at the end of the day. Your Test cricket statistics will live on in their memory forever.

Shastri emphasized the importance of Test cricket and the lasting legacy it leaves behind in response to the criticism.

They are aware that nobody really recalls white ball averages at the end of the day. He said, “They will never forget your Test cricket stats.