After a gap of 11 months, India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will return to international comeback. This has come as a major boost for India ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 and the World Cup 2023 a couple of months later at home.
Jasprit Bumrah last played in September 2022 and was laid off due to a back injury, which needed surgery and months of rehab. He will mark his comeback with the 3-T20I series against Ireland, starting on Friday in Dublin.
Not only he’s returning, but Bumrah will also be captaining India in the series, becoming India’s 11th men’s T20I skipper.
In his absence, India faltered in the T20 World Cup last year and the WTC Final this year. Captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid have been vocal about the big hole in the side in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.
The pacer understands his importance but demanded that people don’t keep expectations and that he’s returning with a free mind after a long injury layoff.
“I respect their opinion but irrespective they are good or bad, I don’t take anyone’s opinion seriously. I don’t want to put myself under pressure. I don’t put unnecessary expectations on me. I am coming back after a long time, I want to enjoy it now. I’m not thinking that I have to contribute a lot or I will change everything. I’m coming with minimal expectations. If others are expecting, it’s their problem, not mine,” Bumrah said when asked about the expectations of the team and the fans.
Not be too unrealistic with what you want to do: Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah also made it clear that he isn’t setting any unrealistic expectations from himself as he’s returning after a long time. He asserted that he will slowly get into his groove, starting with the T20I series against Ireland where he will have a 4 overs quota to bowl and will amp it up in the ODI-format Asia Cup, starting August 30.
“I’m just the same guy. I’ve always had a lot of belief in my ability. Yes, obviously I understand that I am coming back after a long layoff. So you obviously want to work your way up. You want to enjoy your game. You want to slowly keep on getting better with each and every game and not be too unrealistic with what you want to do. You want to feel good getting a lot more game time,” the 29-year-old pacer added.
