‘The same people said last year that my career is over’: Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery message to critics

India’s match-winner Jasprit Bumrah said his team’s calm and refusal to panic led them to a thrilling six-run victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Having made just 119 on the tricky New York surface, India saw Pakistan respond with a measured response but Bumrah provided the crucial breakthrough for the favourites. Bumrah scored 3-14 with big wickets at crucial times, including Pakistan’s top-scorer Mohamad Rizwan, who after making a patient 31 off 44 balls, himself looked like a match-winner until he was bowled cleanly.

“The biggest positive for us was the calm because when we were batting in the morning there was a lot more help,” Bumrah said, noting the wetter conditions after the pre-match rain turned to sunshine later in the day.

“And then when we started bowling, the sky opened up and the ball stopped seaming and there wasn’t much lateral movement. So we had to be more consistent and precise. And we as a unit were very calm and very clear about it. what we wanted to do. I’m really happy because as a unit we were able to contribute and create that pressure and then we got the win,” he said.

Bumrah said he has learned over time that in situations where the field can offer some help, it is crucial not to go too far with attacking intent.

“In that aspect, experience helps a little because whenever there is help, you can get excited, you can try to hunt rods, you can bowl bouncers, you can bowl out-swingers, in-swingers, but you don’t have to do that,” he said.

“I learned that from experience. But this time the ball wasn’t doing much. Yes, we created pressure. There was a little bit of lateral movement, but not much. Not as pronounced as the last game,” he said.

Bumrah is in fine form, following a strong IPL campaign with a 2-6 spell against Ireland in the Group A opener ahead of Sunday’s show.

But amid the heady praise, Bumrah, who suffered injuries last year, said he was quickly reminded of how opinions can change.

“A year ago, the same people were saying that I might not play again and that my career was over. But I don’t look at that. For me, I try to solve the problem that is in front of me and try to control the controllables,” he said.

“I was trying to focus on what is the best option here on a wicket like this. I have to do this because if I look at the noise outside, if I look at the people and the pressure and the emotion takes over, then things don’t really work out for me,” he said.

It was an approach that Bumrah said the team adopted as a collective despite the enormous pressure that comes with expectations surrounding the Indian team, especially against Pakistan.

“At no point did I feel that panic had spread through the team and that we were looking too far ahead. So it’s a very positive sign,” he said.

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