Although Jasprit Bumrah burst onto the scene as a T20 specialist, the Indian pacer has managed to enhance his skills over the past few years and has evolved into a more rounded and complete pace bowler.
In an exclusive chat with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the 27-year-old opened up on how he has grown and evolved as a cricketer over the years.
“So basically, what I try to do is, I channelise my anger. When I started as a youngster, I used to get angry left, right and center and I used to do all types of gimmicks which didn't really help my game a lot,” Bumrah said in a chat with the ICC.
“So, over the years I played a lot of international cricket, realised what works for me. So, I am smiling but the fire inside is burning all the time. I don't try to show it all the time but this is the way that helps me to succeed and with that controlled aggression, I try to take my game forward,” the Ahmedabad-born bowler added.
Unlike many cricketers, the Indian pacer never had any idols growing up, but insisted that he never refrains from picking the brains of former cricketers at any given opportunity.
“I never had a particular favourite but have followed a lot of great fast bowlers while growing up. Nowadays, when I meet them, I ask a lot of advice from them,” he explained.
Bumrah made his international debut in 2016 and has since become a vital part of the Indian pace attack across formats.
He is currently playing the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand in Southampton and is also a part of the Indian team which will take on England in the five-match Test series, starting on August 4.
Bumrah has already taken 250 wickets in international cricket and is ranked fifth in the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers.
Featured photo: AFP / Glyn Kirk
