Jasprit Bumrah, who has played in South Africa, England, Australia and West Indies and has a five-wicket haul to show along with a test hat-trick which he registered against West Indies batsmen, last month is rested from the upcoming T20 series against South Africa.
Legends of the sport look at him as a great in the making. But India’s pace spearhead says greatness’ does not sit easy on him. “It’s good that people give me so much love. But I feel embarrassed,” he says.
More than year and a half in test cricket, the upcoming test series will be his first at home. I have played all my life in Ranji trophy cricket in India. These are not alien conditions for me, he says.
Rested from the upcoming T20 series against South Africa, he was at a promotional event in Mumbai. The paceman is also seen on lifestyle magazine covers these days. Bollywood star Ranveer Singh acknowledges his retro look on Instagram, Bumrah thanks him back. Brand promotions come with the territory.
Is he as good off the field when the spotlight is on? “I am getting the hang of it. Slowly am getting better at it; more and more comfortable. A different side (of mine) will also come out with time,” he says.
Bumrah has become like a well-programmed machine. But in this case, he is himself the programmer who throws out accurate results. “For me a lot of preparation goes in. Before any match or tournament, I assess the conditions. I try to ask questions (of bowling teammates) that I am planning to do this, what do you think about it. All these things I listen to and filter them and figure out what I can do and cannot. I try to asses all this and make my plans,” he says.
Image Credit: IANS
