Southampton: A day before India’s winning World Cup encounter against South Africa in Sothampton, India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah tweeted a smiling photograph of his at the ground with a captain “all positive experiences begin with a smile”. The world’s number one ranked ODI bowler, Bumrah set the tone for India’s win at the Ageas Bowl with his incisive opening spell on a seaming wicket that left SA reeling at 34/2 in the first powerplay, but Team India smiling at the end.
Bumrah first rushed up Hashim Amla who tried to defend a good length delivery only to get caught by Rohit Sharma in the second slip. He then got Amlas' opening partner Quinton de Kock caught by Virat Kohli in the third slip ensuring the Proetas never recovered from this setback. These were not conditions or a wicket on which the batsmen could hit their way out, but more Test match like where the key was to play out the first 10 overs circumspectly. Giving India the perfect start, “Boom”, as he is fondly called by his family, well wishers and teammates, ended with figures of 10-1-35-2 with the best economy rate of 3.50 among the Indian bowlers.
When Bumrah was asked which aspect of his bowling he is enjoying most at present, he simply gave a wide smile and humbly said, “ All aspects, but for me playing for the country is the biggest thing. Just playing for the country and playing in the World Cup, which everybody doesn’t get to play, that’s the most satisfying thing for me.”
Indian skipper Virat Kohli gave an insight into what has made Bumrah one of the most feared bowlers to take on in one day cricket. Speaking after India’s win, Kohli said, “ He believes the length ball is something that he can nick people off with, whether it is a flat pitch, whether it's assisting bowlers or not, he can nick you off on any wicket. When you see batsmen literally clueless against him and he's rushing people, its really good to see. To be honest, I haven't seen Hashim get out like that in one-day cricket. He's been so dominant. He might play shots and get out, but to get guys out like that, rushing them a bit, I think it's a great thing and it's a testimony to his hard work. He is very disciplined. He is working really hard at practice, in the gym, with his diet, with his rest. He understands this is his time and he's making the most of it so hats off, he's brilliant.”
Kohli also added that the secret of Bumrah’s success is that he bowls in practice like he bowls in a match, uncaring of which batsman is facing him - his own teammate or an opposition player. He also senses fear or doubt in a batsman facing him early, capitalising on it. “Facing Jasprit is you have to play good cricketing shots against him and you have to back your technique against him. Because if you are hesitant a little bit, he senses that and he's all over you. If he senses someone's not enjoying the short ball in the net, he will make sure that guy gets it in that session.So what you see him bowling in the match he bowls exactly like that to us in the nets. He doesn't care who is standing in front of him.”
Responding to his skipper’s assessment of his strike bowler, Bumrah said he tried in such helpful conditions to not go overboard. “You do your preparation, your homework. You see a lot of things, so when on a wicket like this you get help – there was a little bit of seam movement – then you can sometimes be tempted to try too many things. At that time, you must realise that you don’t need to do too many things, just bowling Test match type of bowling, be patient when you are getting help.”
Bumrah admitted that the key to his success in matches is his preparation before it in training sessions. “There is a lot of hard work that goes behind the cameras. I do all my sessions, be it bowling with the new ball, be it practicing all my variations. I want to do all my preparations before coming into a game. If I have done everything, in the match it is all about execution and keeping a clear head space, and that’s very important.”
