There is a general perception that Jasprit Bumrah burst onto the scene from the Indian Premier League (IPL). But the India pacer himself on Sunday (April 26) busted the myth, saying that the domestic performances were a major factor behind his rise to the top.
"That I made it to the Indian team by my performances in the IPL is a myth. 2013 is when I came into the IPL (for Mumbai Indians) then 2013, 2014, 2015 I was not playing regularly. I did well in (Vijay) Hazare and in the domestic circuit then I came into the Indian team in 2016," Bumrah said during an Instagram chat with former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh.
Bumrah has come a long way after his international debut in January 2016. He currently holds the No. 2 position in ICC ODI rankings for bowlers and occupies the 7th spot in Test bowling rankings.
Last year, Bumrah played an instrumental role in India’s maiden Test series victory on Australian soil with 21 wickets to his name. He then scripted India’s 2-0 Test series win in West Indies, claiming 13 scalps at a phenomenal average of 9.23 including a hat-trick.
It is some journey from Bumrah, who was once deemed as T20 specialist.
"Bowlers come up to me and say ODI T20 thik hai (ODIs, T20I is okay). But they forget, Tests make you a complete cricketer," the speedster said.
"You have to play Test cricket to survive in the long run," he added.
Overall, Jasprit Bumrah has represented India in 14 Tests so far, taking 68 wickets at a phenomenal average of 20.33 with 5 five-wicket hauls. In 64 ODIs, he has picked up 104 wickets at an impressive average of 24.43 while his T20I record reads – 59 scalps from 50 games at an economy rate of 6.66.
(With IANS inputs)
