Jasprit Bumrah, celebrated as one of cricket’s premier fast bowlers, recently sat down for an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, shedding light on his career, mindset, and the evolving dynamics of cricket. Here’s a comprehensive look at what Bumrah shared:
Rise and Confidence of Jasprit Bumrah
- Bumrah’s journey from a young enthusiast to becoming the linchpin of India’s bowling attack was marked byan unwavering confidence in his abilities. He confessed, “In my head, I have a lot of confidence that I am good.” This self-belief, rooted in his childhood love for fast bowling, has been a driving force behind hissuccess, where he aims to make his team win through his performance.
On Leadership and Captaincy:
- Addressing rumors about his captaincy ambitions, Jasprit Bumrah took a pragmatic approach. He humorouslyremarked on the idea of advocating for his own captaincy, stating it’s “above my pay grade.” This reflects hisunderstanding of the team dynamics and the selection process, where he respects the decision-makinghierarchy. His comments on leadership highlighted the collective effort in a team, emphasizing that“captaincy is a post, but a team is run by 11 people.”
The Role of Bowlers in Modern Cricket:
- Jasprit Bumrah advocates for bowlers in an era often dominated by batsmen. He believes that bowlers are the“smart people” because they have to devise strategies to outwit batsmen. His mention of successful bowler-captains like Pat Cummins, Wasim Akram, and Kapil Dev underscores his belief in the strategic depthbowlers bring to the game.
Cricketing Philosophy:
- Bumrah’s approach to cricket, especially T20, challenges the notion that it’s solely a batsman’s game. Heviews all formats as interconnected, where success in Test cricket can naturally translate to other formatsdue to the skills developed. His love for Test cricket, where he feels “if I do well in that, all other formats willtake care of themselves,” reflects his cricketing philosophy.
Personal Insights and Challenges:
- Jasprit Bumrah shared personal anecdotes, like his mother’s initial reluctance for him to pursue cricket, which led to his unique journey. His statement about not having formal training and developing his skills independentlyadds depth to his story, showcasing resilience and self-reliance.
Public Perception and Interaction:
- On public interactions, Jasprit Bumrah finds humor in how opponents approach him, sometimes with a plea to “go easy.” This light-hearted take on sledging or banter shows his grounded personality amidst his superstarstatus.
Future Aspirations:
- While Bumrah is clear about his current focus on playing, he expressed a desire to help the sport in the bestway possible in the future, indicating a potential role in cricket’s development or coaching.
This interview with Bumrah not only provides fans with a deeper understanding of his mindset but also offers insights into the evolving nature of cricket, where bowlers like Bumrah are redefining their role in the sport. His journey, marked by confidence, strategic thinking, and a love for the game, continues to inspire many, making him not just a bowler but a cricketing phenomenon.
