India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been bowling exceptionally well ever since his comeback to international cricket following the back surgery.
The right-arm quick played an instrumental role in India’s Asia Cup 2023 triumph and then made the batters dance to his tunes in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup last year.
Bumrah then carried on his brilliance to Test cricket on the tour of South Africa and in the home series against England. He was among the leading wicket-takers in IPL 2024, claiming 20 scalps in 13 matches at an economy rate of 6.48.
Now, Bumrah is plying his trade in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, taking place in the USA and West Indies. He starred with the ball in India’s narrow six-run victory over Pakistan at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York on Sunday (June 9).
Defending a small total of 119, the Men in Blue needed their bowlers to step up and Bumrah rose to the occasion like no other, returning with the figures of 3 for 14 in his four overs to help India restrict the arch-rivals to 113/7. Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed were his victims.
After his match-winning performance, Jasprit Bumrah couldn't help but laugh at the drastic shift in narratives about his career over the past year.
"See a year ago, the same people were saying that I might not play again and my career is over and then now the question changed," Bumrah said in the post-match press conference.
Bumrah attributed his success to focusing on the controllables. "I am not looking at whether I am bowling at the best of my ability. I try to solve the problem that is there in front of me. I know it's a cliched answer... but I was trying to focus on what is the best option over here on a wicket like this," he added.
Avoiding outside noise has also helped him perform to the best of his ability. "Because if I look at the outside noise, if I look at people and pressure and emotion takes over, then things don't really work for me," the 30-year-old said.
Despite the challenges of the IPL, where bowlers faced tough conditions, Bumrah and the Indian bowling unit have adapted well to the T20 World Cup tracks.
"Obviously, the IPL that we played was not very bowler-friendly but we are very happy that we didn't come here with that baggage," Bumrah noted.
"We were very clear the message in the huddle was that now that is over, what is next? What are the things that are in our control? So, we will try to focus on that and not to create panic," he further remarked.
According to Bumrah, it is important to maintain composure in low-scoring matches. "If we go for magic deliveries and try to be too desperate, run-making becomes easy and they know the target. So, we had to be very mindful of not overdoing it," he explained.
Jasprit Bumrah is also happy that the Indian bowlers are now getting appreciation and recognition.
"I always advocate bowlers, but we're very happy with the appreciation that bowlers have received because our country is obviously a batsman-loving country and we understand but we are very happy that bowlers are coming up front," he concluded.
(With PTI Inputs)
