Jasprit Bumrah, a pacer for Team India, has disclosed that he is trying to improve his bowling technique in a few areas. He joked that he wouldn’t want to divulge any information in front of Joe Root when asked to comment on the same.
On Friday, July 11, following Day 2 of the Lord’s Test, Jasprit Bumrah and Joe Root attended the news conferences for India and England, respectively. In Test cricket, the Indian right-arm bowler recorded his fifteenth five-fer. Overnight, Root was undefeated on 99. He was bowled by Bumrah for 104 after reaching his 37th Test century with the opening delivery of the day.
At the press conference, the Indian fast bowler declared that he aims to continue enhancing his game and is thus working on a couple of things. When he was asked to explain the same in details, he cheekily said:
“There are few things, but Joe is standing there, so he should not listen to all of these things.”
Jasprit Bumrah
The 31-year-old, speaking seriously, stated that his goal as a pacer has always been to become a bowler who can do everything. He clarified:
“I always felt that I have only one career and I should be able to do everything. I wanted to learn everything. That is still my motivation. If I have a lot of different things up my sleeve, then in different conditions I can contribute more and I [will] have answers for every different kind of condition.
Jasprit Bumrah
“So all of these things are there. I am still trying to add few more things, but once I am able to get that, then I will be able to explain it a little more.”
Jasprit Bumrah
The fast bowler’s five-fer on Friday was the most by an Indian bowler and his thirteenth in away Test matches. The renowned Kapil Dev, who had twelve, was eclipsed by him.
“That’s a Lie” – Jasprit Bumrah Denies Giving Bowling Tips to Nitish Kumar Reddy
Nitish Kumar Reddy was an unexpected hero, taking the first two wickets to fall on Day 1 of England’s first innings at Lord’s, while Bumrah grabbed five wickets. After the play on the first day, Reddy gave Bumrah and others praise for his bowling’s progress. However, the latter declined to accept any recognition for Reddy’s wickets. He gave the bowler full credit, saying:
“That answer is a lie. He’s not asked me anything. The other thing is that these youngsters are very confident. They don’t need a lot of over-guidance or over-information. Whenever and in whatever capacity they need me, I am right there to help them out. I share my experienced – what I learnt in the previous tours over here. That’s as simple as I am trying to keep it.”
On the first day of the Lord’s Test, Reddy got rid of England openers Ben Duckett (age 23) and Zak Crawley (age 18). England was bowled out for 387 after he concluded with figures of 2-62 from 17 overs.
