Jasprit Bumrah terrorised Yuvraj Singh as a 16-year-old: ‘Stop bowling. I want this kid out of nets’

Yuvraj Singh shared a striking anecdote that showed just how lethal Jasprit Bumrah was even at 16.

Updated on: Apr 9, 2026, 18:09:55 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Jasprit Bumrah has grown into one of the finest bowlers in the game, with his consistency across formats putting him in the conversation among the greats at just 32. His ability to pick up wickets in any situation stands out, especially when the pressure is high. Bumrah’s control over line and length forces batters onto the back foot, while his unorthodox action makes him even harder to read. He has delivered standout performances in red-ball cricket, particularly in England and Australia, where conditions often test even the best. In white-ball cricket, too, he has been a key figure, playing a major role in India’s back-to-back T20 World Cup wins with his reliability and knack for breakthroughs.

Yuvraj Singh made a stunning revelation, which clearly depicted that even a 16-year-old Jasprit Bumrah was quite lethal. (PTI Images)

Veteran India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh shared a striking anecdote that showed just how lethal Jasprit Bumrah was even at 16. He admitted that during his comeback phase, Bumrah’s fiery spells in the nets were so intense they briefly threw him off his rhythm, highlighting the youngster’s impact even back then.

“When I was trying to make a comeback in the Indian team after battling cancer, I was trying to get back into cricket, and Bumrah was about 16 years old and he was bowling rapid in the nets. And I was like, ‘I want this kid out of the nets’ and ‘stop bowling to me’. I was like, ‘Kid, stop! Whoever you are.’ Because I was just trying to make a comeback from cancer, was just trying to get into my zone. And this guy was just bowling lethal,” Yuvraj told Vaughan on The Overlap Cricket.

Yuvraj added: “Bumrah came and told me this story later on, that I asked him to stop bowling to him. And I was like, ‘yeah, because you were bowling too quick.’”

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Continuing his recollection, Yuvraj also highlighted how Bumrah has evolved over the years, pointing out the raw pace and awkward bounce that made him a handful even as a teenager, long before he developed the complete skill set he possesses today.

“He definitely had a longer run up. I don’t think he would had so much skill, but he was quick. Extremely quick and with his action he’s got this deceptive bounce. He just keeps on getting into your ribs all the time. You don’t like that!" he added.

“Batters scared to go after Jasprit Bumrah”

Yuvraj went a step further in his praise for Indian paceman, hailing him as the best in the game right now and placing him in the bracket of all-time greats, citing the fear he creates among batters and his unmatched control.

“If you look at the way the game is evolving, he has to be the best because batsmen are not going after him. They’re like scared to go after him; they feel like it’s best to just rotate the strike and hit the other bowlers. And the moment they want to go after him, he doesn’t allow them. He’s just really smart. Obviously he’s got a great skill as well and he’s got a deceptive action. It’s hard to pick his slower one out of his hand," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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