VVS Laxman expresses concern over ‘wicketless’ Jasprit Bumrah’s form in ODIs

Whenever India take to field nowadays, the supporters’ eyes invariably get fixated on the performance of Jasprit Bumrah. The ace paceman’s meteoric rise in international cricket over the years has made him a premier bowler and even a slight dip in his form leaves the Men in Blue disappointed.

After India lost the ODI series against New Zealand, former India batsman VVS Laxman was one who expressed his dejected mind on the 26-year-old who made a return to the national side recently after an injury break. Bumrah, who took an impressive 3 for 12 in the fifth T20I match against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui recently, has got only one wicket in his last five ODI outings and that has made the 45-year-old Laxman worried.

In his column for the Times of India, the former stylish batter wrote: “It must be a cause for concern for India that Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli‘s go-to bowler whenever he has needed breakthroughs, has been short of wickets all tour. Additionally, his lengths too haven’t been spot-on, which means he hasn’t been able to impose usual pressure. Of course, New Zealand’s batsmen have played him well, with Taylor in the forefront.”

Jasprit Bumrah went for runs as well, which is unlike him

Bumrah failed to live up to his expectations as a miserly bowler in the two games against New Zealand besides failing to pick a single wicket. He conceded 53 and 64 runs, respectively, in the two matches and that let the Black Caps batsmen off in both matches.

Laxman also wrote that India would have fancied their chances of squaring the series in Auckland but the loss of three wickets in the first 10 overs, including that of Kohli, pegged them back. He also lauded Tim Southee’s bowling performance and the delivery that got rid of the dangerous Indian captain.

“At the break, India must have fancied their chances of drawing level, but when you lose three wickets in the first ten overs, including Virat’s, you are always playing catchup. Tim Southee’s dismissal of Virat was an example of New Zealand’s smartness in working out and sticking to game plans.

Even though he was physically suffering, Southee kept at it. He set Virat up with a series of away swingers, then brought one back in to sneak it through the gate, a fantastic piece of bowling,” Laxman wrote.

India started off as favourites in the ODI series after sweeping the Kiwis 0-5 in the T20Is but allowed their reputation to take a beating. They posted a huge total of 347 for 4 in the first match in Hamilton but then allowed NZ to win it. In Auckland, too, they had control over the game by having eight wickets down for 190-odd but then the hosts ran away with the game by scoring 273.

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