mumbai: Yuvraj Singh has shared a fascinating throwback story about facing a young jasprit bumrah in the nets, revealing how the future pace spearhead once left him struggling during a crucial phase of his comeback.

“Stop bowling to me!”

Recalling the incident, Yuvraj said he was attempting to return to top-level cricket after battling cancer when he first encountered a teenage Bumrah in the nets.

The former all-rounder admitted that Bumrah’s raw pace at the time was so intense that he asked him to stop bowling.

Yuvraj jokingly recalled telling the youngster, “Whoever you are, stop bowling to me,” as he tried to regain rhythm and confidence during his recovery phase.

Early signs of greatness

Despite being only around 16 at the time, Bumrah had already begun to trouble batters with his speed and awkward action.

Yuvraj noted that while Bumrah may not have had the refined skillset he possesses today, his pace and bounce were exceptional and difficult to handle.

He highlighted Bumrah’s ability to generate uncomfortable bounce, often targeting the body — something batters “don’t like”.

From wonderkid to world-class

Since those early days, Bumrah has evolved into one of the finest fast bowlers in modern cricket, becoming a key player across all formats for India and a match-winner for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

His journey from an unorthodox young pacer to a global superstar underlines his growth, consistency, and adaptability.

Yuvraj’s current role

Yuvraj, now mentoring young talents like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, shared the anecdote during a chat with former England captain Michael Vaughan.

The story offers a glimpse into Bumrah’s early promise and the impression he left on senior players even before making it big.

Rapid-fire insights

During the same conversation, Yuvraj revealed several personal favourites:

• Favourite format: Test cricket
• Teammate to bat with: Sachin Tendulkar
• Favourite batting partner: MS Dhoni
• Favourite actors: Ranbir Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan
• Favorite footballers: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes

Conclusion

Yuvraj Singh’s anecdote not only highlights a humorous moment from the nets but also underscores how Jasprit Bumrah’s talent was evident from a very young age. What once troubled a seasoned international batter has now become a weapon feared by the best in the world.