August 18, 2023. That was when Jasprit Bumrah returned to competitive cricket after a long layoff.

Returning to the field after a stress fracture in his back had sidelined him for almost 11 months, Bumrah looked pretty sharp in those four overs he had bowled in India’s first of two T20Is against Ireland at Malahide in Dublin.

Since that game, Bumrah has become sharper and sharper. Even more lethal and in all formats of the game. Seventy-eight wickets across formats since his comeback underline the kind of impact Bumrah has had over the past 10 months. The slower one and the slow off-cutter, which looks quite like the classical off-spinner, have been among the additions to his repertoire of variations. And then, that deadly yorker, which he can slip in at any point of the game, regardless of the format.

Bumrah’s pace, deception and accuracy earned him his reward in India’s triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, where he finished with 15 wickets at a splendid economy rate of 4.17. The pitches were far better for bowlers, and Bumrah proved how effective he could be, winning the Player-of-the-Series award.

“I tried to keep calm,” Bumrah said after his magnificent 2/18 in India’s win in the final against South Africa in Bridgetown on Saturday. “We play the sport for this and we’ve been working hard towards this. We play sport for the big stages. On the big day, you have to give more, while I felt clear and calm throughout the tournament,” Bumrah emphasised.

It thus wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Bumrah is at his peak at present. However, given his workload, Bumrah also needs adequate rest to stay fresh before crucial assignments. He’s set to get a bit of it now as his next India appearance could be the home Tests against Bangladesh in September.