Bumrah rising again after another injury comeback

There are few better sights in cricket than watching a fast bowler steaming in, with the crowd egging him on; rattling the stumps, blunting the egos of batters.

- Rasesh Mandani

MUMBAI: Jasprit Bumrah has been that fast bowler this IPL. Again.

His twin strikes late in the rain-hit match against Gujarat Titans on Tuesday almost took Mumbai Indians over the line in a low-scoring thriller. GT snatched victory in the end, but did the Wankhede fans enjoy hearing the echo of their collective chant as they went Boom Boom Bumrah again.

Few would have backed the MI pacer to be the showstopper this season. He didn't even play the first four matches as he completed the rehabilitation for the back problem that flared up during the Sydney Test in January, where he trudged away for tests, tired and overworked. In four fewer matches than others, Bumrah, with 13 scalps in eight games, is MI's second highest wicket-taker.

Speed thrills. And it's usually with bowlers who hit the 150kph mark consistently that Bumrah, 31, shares the spotlight. Not this year though.

Umran Malik was ruled unfit at the start by Kolkata Knight Riders. Lockie Ferguson began the tournament with some spark for Punjab Kings before hobbling out holding his left hip.