Bumrah and Jansen both played together for Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
South Africa pacer Marco Jansen and Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah were involved in a heated exchange during the third and final Test of the recently concluded Test series that was won by the hosts with a 2-1 margin.
Bumrah and Jansen – who both played together for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, shared some heated exchanges during the second Test at Wanderers and again during the third match at Newlands.
Ahead of the ODI series against Team India, Jansen has insisted that he has no "hard feelings" with his Mumbai Indians team-mate Bumrah, saying they are good friends.
Jansen said in a media interaction on Cricket South Africa Twitter handle: “I’ve played with Bumrah in the IPL and we’re good friends. You’re not going to back down when you’re playing for your country and sometimes on-the-field things get heated. He obviously did the same and there are no hard feelings because it was in the heat of the moment, because it was two players giving their all for their countries.”
The youngster showed his fiery persona on the field, but the pacer insisted that he’s very introverted off the field.
The 21-year-old continued, “I’m a bit of an introvert off the field. But I want to express myself on the field in the sport I love the most. I show passion and love for the game. If there’s one place I want to show my passion, it’s got to be on the field.”
South Africa and India will now battle it out in a three-match ODI starting on January 19, and Jansen hopes the hosts will be able to carry forward the momentum from the Test series victory, as Team India had won the six-match ODI series by a 5-1 margin when they last toured in 2018.
The pacer added, “We hope to carry forward the momentum from the Test series. But we are not underestimating at all. We have to bring our A-game and will be looking to take the fight to them. We have to work on our preparation and be as prepared as possible, giving our all in the field. It will be very, very nice to get an ODI series win.”
On unexpected ODI call-up for the India series, he said: “It wasn’t a call-up I expected, but I’m very glad and honored to be selected in the squad. I just want to learn as much as possible as it is my first call-up to the ODI squad. If I get an opportunity, I’ll hope to make the most of it and take it with both hands.”
The lanky left-arm pacer made his Test debut in the Centurion Test against India, taking 5 wickets on his debut, and went on to finish the three-match Test series with 19 wickets.
Jansen said on his performance in the Test series, “I’ve been in the Test squad previously, before this series, but obviously never expected to be selected. It was an honor. I didn’t start the way I wanted to do. I was very, very nervous. It’s normal to get nervous in your first Test. Just after that, I was glad to come back well in the second innings and contributed to the team.”
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On his identical twin Duan Jansen, who was also part of the Mumbai Indians squad as a support player, Jansen said: “We grew up together, know everything about each other. He’s my best friend. It is not weird, but weird in some ways that we have the same traits. Sharing the journey with him is something very special. We love each other very much. I’m a bit taller than him.”
He signed off by saying, “In the IPL, he came along as a support player and practiced with us. It was a great experience for him and for us. Our parents are very proud of us, back us all the way, and are very, very supportive.”
(With PTI Inputs)