Small joys are the best ones: Jasprit Bumrah

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has seen a meteoric rise in international cricket over the last year, especially in the red-ball format. Having played all his matches in the first year overseas, the 25-year-old’s performance has been hailed as even more special. And the cricketer has certain mantras for his ability to come back relentlessly hard and make success a loyal friend.

Bumrah, who has 49 wickets in 10 Tests at the moment, spoke to Times of India (TOI) over various issues including his action and his words clearly showed that he has learnt the art of staying fit and sound, both physically and mentally.

The bowler was criticised at the beginning after he was chosen for Tests but after having taken five-wicket hauls in different parts of the world, he has proved that he is not an also-ran in the longer format. In fact, he has heard so much about his action that he no more allows such criticism to reach him.

Jasprit Bumrah took 14 wickets in three Tests in his debut series in South Africa and then played a key role in India’s only Test win in England (in Nottingham). Thereafter, he finished with 21 scalps in four Tests in Australia to end up as the joint-highest wicket-taker with Nathan Lyon.

Bumrah has always relished small joys

“Some claimed I only had an away delivery for left-handers. I said fine, if this is what they’re thinking, then I have a bit of an advantage here. Because they don’t know that I have an out-swinger as well. I remember I was bowling to Keaton Jennings and I started with two away deliveries. I teased him by moving slightly over the wicket before bringing one back in slightly. It turned out to be just enough. Small joys are the best ones,” Bumrah said in the interview.

Speaking on his special focus on fitness, Bumrah said: “When I first made the transition from first-class cricket to the international stage, I realised that if I had to sustain myself at this level, my idea of fitness would have to be taken to a whole new level. Fitness was the criteria back then too but international cricket is a different ballgame. Thankfully, I realised this quickly,” he said, adding that he changed his diet and training routines to stay in the best of shape so that he could continue delivering at the highest level.

Speaking about his favourite moments from 2018, Bumrah said his Test debut in South Africa and the recent series win in Australia were special.

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