India’s star bowler Jasprit Bumrah said after the end of the Day 1's play in Chennai, that he feels fine whether he is playing in front of the crowds or behind closed doors, and it doesn’t really matter to him as there isn't a bigger motivation than playing for the country.
Bumrah made his home debut in Test cricket in the ongoing first Test of the four-match Test series against England on Friday (February 5) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium after featuring in 17 away Tests for India. The pacer picked two wickets on day one of the first Test against England.
The first India-England Test is being played behind closed doors in Chennai but the second Test to be played from February 13 will have a 50 percent crowd in attendance at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, but Bumrah has insisted that he doesn't require any “extra noise or something” to push himself, as playing his favorite format of the game for India is the biggest motivation for him.
Bumrah told the media during the virtual press conference: “I think we were okay (morale) till the second session. At the beginning of the last session, we felt a bit flat. Especially when the wickets aren't favoring you, we were a bit dull. For me, I don't need extra noise or something to push myself.”
He further added, “It depends on individual to individual. I actually keep telling myself if I don't bowl well, how can I pick wickets. There isn't a bigger motivation than playing for India, this is the best format and my favorite too. I accept all kinds of results having done my best. I keep getting better and taking advice from others in order to improve myself.”
Bumrah also commented on the decision to play Shahbaz Nadeem ahead of Kuldeep Yadav in the ongoing first Test in Chennai against England.
He signed off by saying, “In hindsight, we can talk well about it (the decision to play Shahbaz over Kuldeep) but this is the team we went with, we will continue to back them. Right now, there is a job to be done and later on, after the game, we can discuss the selection.”
(With ANI Inputs)
