I Don’t Think Of Myself As Just A Limited-Overs Bowler: Jasprit Bumrah
Jan 9, 2017 at 7:47 PM
Jasprit Bumrah, one of India’s leading wicket-taker in both ODIs and T20Is in 2016, said it’s a perception that he is just termed as a limited-overs bowler and won’t find equal success in the five-day game, given his sling-arm action, which appears apt to work in limited-over cricket.
Having impressed everyone, even his critics, during the Ranji Trophy season, by picking up 24 wickets in seven matches with a decent economy of 2.44 and guiding his side to the finals of India’s premier domestic competition after a gap of 66 years.
More often than not, he was used as the partnership-breaker by former Indian skipper MS Dhoni and also during the death overs, thanks to his ability to bowl toe-crushing yorkers. But, it has been around three years the Gujarat-born is doing good in the decent circuit, having picked a total of 89 wickets in 26 first-class cricket.
“It’s a perception, I guess, that I’m just a limited-overs cricketer. For three seasons now, I’ve been playing in the Ranji Trophy and for India A. I have had decent success, so I don’t think of myself as just a short-form bowler. That said, it’s important to adapt to formats quickly.”
The 23-year-old hailed the Indian domestic structure saying it teaches one how to be patient, consistent and also how to bowl long bowling spells. He looked happy admitting that it was only Ranji Trophy who made him a better bowler and feels one should play it in order to go through the grind, and later hatch good results.
“This time (2016/17 Ranji season), playing seven matches across different surfaces has been a huge step in that direction. I’ve learned a lot about my bowling, in terms of being patient, consistent, and in general, being fit to bowl long spells.”
“The beauty of domestic cricket is that it gives you time to absorb these lessons, which is why playing on the circuit for three years now has made me a better bowler. That’s why I feel domestic grind is important for fast bowlers.”
Gujarat will face Mumbai in the final of Ranji Trophy, which starts on Tuesday in Indore.