Jasprit Bumrah doesn’t expect too much from herself. He is simply delighted to be back in international cricket and going through processes that he has missed so much over the past year. Ahead of the Ireland T20I series opener in Dublin on Friday, Bumrah, on returning from a back injury that sidelined him for a year, and no less competitive as India’s captain, appeared relaxed. as he answered questions about the length of his absence and the work he had to put in post-surgery to get to this point.
“I still do normal bowling,” Bumrah said of his first netting with the Indian team in a year. “It’s not that I’m holding back. I’m enjoying it. I’ve done a lot of training online. When my detox was over and I went home. [to Ahmedabad]I practiced with Gujarat [his state team] also.
“I’ve had a lot of training sessions and practice games. It’s not like there are any restrictions or I’m holding back. Obviously, when you come to the Indian team – and the weather here. [in Dublin] great – you love bowling more than that. I do not keep. The body feels good and I’m looking forward to the upcoming matches.”
Over the past month or so, Bumrah has been steadily rising up at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru in terms of bowling workload. This has included full match simulations and some practice games to test his match readiness. Bumrah brushed off any concerns when asked if the bowling requirement of a 50-plus game, which he could soon face at the Asian Cup and World Cup, was more taxing for a newcomer. compared to what is required in this T20I series no .
“We note that there are not many test cricket matches in this cycle until the World Cup is over [in November], so even during my rehabilitation we were never prepared for a T20 game, I was preparing to bowl 10 times for the World Cup,” Bumrah said. , 12, even 15 times. I’ve been pitching more, so it’s easier when you’re throwing less than necessary.”
How does Bumrah view the expectations on his shoulders to lead India’s attack at the World Cup? Can such thoughts become overwhelming, especially for someone who has just returned from an injury?
Whose opinion? [that Bumrah is India’s bowling trump card] It’s something that I obviously respect, but whether it’s good or bad, I don’t value it,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t want to carry any baggage or pressure of expectations. Nor do I set unrealistic expectations for myself; I don’t think I have to carry that much.
“I just want to enjoy. I’ve never been out of competition for so long. I don’t think ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that’ or ‘I have to give a lot’. I’m here to reward wake it up because I like cricket”
Jasprit Bumrah in the day of return
“I’m back after a long time; I just want to enjoy. I’ve never been out of the game for so long. I don’t think ‘I’m going to do this, I’m going to do that’ or ‘I’m going to do that. kia’ I have to contribute a lot’. I came here to enjoy it because I like cricket. Expectation, I don’t keep too much. I came to enjoy the match.
“As for the expectations others have for me, it’s not my problem [laughs]. My job is to prepare and give my best. Everything else will take care of itself.”
Did he ever doubt himself during the separation? Bumrah has admitted to feeling frustrated but says he has managed to move it in the right direction. “Sometimes your wounds take longer than usual to heal, which can be frustrating. But instead of doubting yourself whether or not you might be okay, my thought process was to do it. How can I be okay and how quickly I can get back to you? You need to give your body as much time as it needs.
“I never thought those were dark days or that I wouldn’t be able to turn back. I never looked too far ahead. I was just looking for a solution to the problem at hand. Once I found the solution, I was just looking for a solution. It’s good that I can work my way.
“For the first time in the summer in 10-11 years, I’m at home. So I consider it an off-season holiday. I have a lot of family time, so I’m looking at the positives. Yes, it’s disappointing when I’m away [from cricket for so long], but that’s okay, it’s something you can’t control so you can’t get upset about it. I spent time with my family. I’m happy with that and once I started training, I enjoyed it.”
Shashank Kishore is a senior assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo
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