India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is widely regarded as one of the best bowlers in world cricket today, and his impact and stature often places him alongside icons such as Virat Kohli in terms of influence. However, former India pacer and current Delhi Capitals bowling coach Munaf Patel offered a candid and thought-provoking perspective on Bumrah’s popularity and the broader fast bowling ecosystem in India.
Speaking on TOI Sports’ Bombay Exchange podcast, Munaf acknowledged Bumrah’s superstar status but noted that the level of mass appeal still differs compared to a batsman like Kohli.
”How will that happen sir? Look at Virat Kohli’s popularity and Bumrah’s popularity. There is a difference,” Munaf Patel said. “Bumrah is a star, no doubt, but there is still a difference when you compare his popularity with that of someone like Virat Kohli,” he added.
The conversation soon moved from individual stardom to a deeper topic: the development of fast bowlers in India. Highlighting a systemic challenge, Munaf emphasized that while India has started producing bowlers with higher speeds, there remains a gap in awareness, training and proper guidance at the grassroots level.
He made a surprising observation about pace being the main currency in modern cricket.
“If you ask me to find players who can reach 125 km/h, I can bring many. But if you ask me for players who can consistently reach 140+, they are very rare,” he explained. “And the reality is that if you play at 140+, you won’t go unnoticed. There’s almost no chance.”
Munaf went on to underline what he believes is a paradox in Indian cricket: despite the clear demand for genuine pace, many aspiring fast bowlers are not being groomed effectively to reach those speeds.
“It’s actually the easiest path right now,” he said. “If you are a fast bowler who can hit 135-140+, you can get into the Indian team quickly. But if you play 125, no matter how much you swing the ball, you may not even get picked in the IPL auctions.”
He also questioned whether enough is being done at the institutional level to scientifically nurture fast bowlers. Referring to facilities like the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Munaf emphasized the need for structured training involving coaches, trainers and physiotherapists to help players pick up the pace safely and effectively.
“You need to understand how to develop that rhythm, strength, technique and workload management. Who teaches that? That’s where you need to focus,” he added.
Munaf’s comments reflect a broader conversation in Indian cricket, one that balances the celebration of world-class talents like Bumrah with the urgent need to build a sustainable pipeline of high-quality fast bowlers for the future.