Jasprit Bumrah is close to getting a fifer or six-fer: Ravi Shastri

Though India’s bowling trump card Jasprit Bumrah is going through a lean phase in his career, taking just one wicket in the last four international outings (three ODIs and one Test), head coach Ravi Shastri is not yet ready to see anything sinister in that. The 62-year-old met the press on the eve of the second New Zealand-India Test in Hagley Oval, Christchurch, starting Saturday and he said it’s just a matter of time before the skiddy pacer strikes back.

The 62-year-old Shastri, who said the 10-wicket thrashing that India received in the first Test in Wellington was necessary for the No.1 Test side to get its mindset open, said Bumrah’s success was just a matter of time.

“Arre Bumrah is… very close to getting a five-for or six-for. Might happen tomorrow. Then don’t come and tell me I told you so. Similarly with Shami. Nothing to worry about it,” the India coach said when asked about Bumrah’s poor form as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. He got just one wicket conceding 89 runs in 26.4 overs in Wellington. Shami, on the other hand, gave away 91 runs in 23 overs and also got one wicket.

India won seven consecutive Tests in the ICC Test Championship (two against the West Indies, three against South Africa and two against Bangladesh) before tasting their first defeat in Wellington.

India hopes to see Jasprit Bumrah back in form

Bumrah has been one of India’s top performers with the ball over the last few years, especially in the long format. He made his debut in Tests in South Africa in 2018 and has played all his 13 matches so far on foreign soil to claim 63 wickets.

Before the Wellington game, Bumrah played his last Test match in the West Indies last August-September and took a hat-trick in that match in Kingston. He made a return to the national team in the limited-over series against Sri Lanka at home last month before going to New Zealand. He took six wickets in the five T20Is but went wicketless in the three ODIs that followed.

India will be earnestly hoping that Bumrah returns to form in the second match in Christchurch.