Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s detractors had written him off, saying he would go from “boom to bust” in 8-10 months due to his unusual, injury-prone bowling action, but it is his conviction that has carried him through as the mercurial fast bowler completes nearly 10 years in international cricket.
Bumrah, who took his 14th five-wicket haul in Tests on Sunday, said, “People had been saying all these years that I would play only eight months, some said 10. But now I have played 10 years of international cricket and 12-13 years of IPL. Even now people say after every injury that he will be finished, he is gone. Let them say, I will do my own work. Every four months these things will crop up, but as long as Almighty wants, I will play.”
Bumrah said he does his best and leaves the rest to God. “I am not here to change people’s perceptions. What people write is beyond my control and I can't advise people on what to write about me. My name in headline gets viewership, but I don’t get bothered by that.”
Bumrah, who bagged 5 wickets for 83 in England’s first innings in the opening Test, said though the wicket is good for batting, it might crack up a little towards the end of the match. “No big demons in wicket. Due to weather, new ball will swing but that is what you expect in Test cricket. We would like to get a big total and get that cushion,” he said.
Indians dropped many catches in England’s first innings, but Bumrah avoided any reference to it, saying he would instead focus on what lies ahead. “You can’t really sit down and cry. You have to move forward with the game. So, what I look to do is not to take it too far in my head and try and quickly forget it because all of them are also new to the game. “Sometimes the ball is difficult to sight and nobody is dropping the catch purposely. Everybody is trying really hard. It does happen. It’s part and parcel of the game. So, I don't want to put more pressure on the fielder that I'm angry,” he said.
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