Indian young pacer Jasprit Bumrah has admitted he can’t completely rely on yorkers for success and insisted that he is working on all the variations to become a good bowler for the nation.
“You cannot be successful by just bowling Yorkers. Nobody can bowl six out of six yorkers. So you have to mix your pace. You have to bowl bouncers, mix up the pace. In practice, I don’t only bowl yorker,” said Bumrah.
The 21-year old has been a limited overs specialist for India as he burst into international scenario in T20Is and ODIs earlier this year and made his mark in the series against Australia.
“It’s nothing like that. I practise death bowling. Yorker is similar to bowling a length ball. The more you bowl, the better you get at it. I bowled yorkers for Gujarat and Mumbai Indians. Before that I used to play tennis ball cricket. I don’t know but that could also be a reason. I practise. I give proper time to death bowling,” the speedster revealed.
Bumrah has agreed that he had influence of the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mitchell Johnson in his bowling and has credited Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar in helping him grow at Mumbai Indians.
“As I played a lot of tennis ball cricket, I used to watch Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis a lot. Then Mitchell Johnson. These three used to be my favourites and I would try and copy them. Also Brett Lee (bowled lethal yorkers).
“Having played for Mumbai Indians, I got to interact with some legends and every input coming from them has been very valuable. I try to use it to my advantage. As a bowler you can always improve, always get better. The more you play, more experience you get and you become a better player.”
Bumrah, who played with pink ball in Duleep trophy, also shared his views on the debate of pink ball as many concerns have been raised on the same.
“Playing with pink ball was a different experience for me. When it’s new it does a little bit but after that it becomes soft very quickly and it doesn’t reverse. The SG Test ball has something for everyone. Spinners get turn, fast bowlers can reverse the ball.”
He also admitted that the experience of MS Dhoni as captain has helped him a lot so far in international cricket.
“He (Dhoni) has been such an experienced captain. Has played India for a long time. He helps us. Tells us what do exactly on what kind of wickets. He gives us a picture of what to expect and that helps us to express ourselves. You can then try new stuff knowing that captain has confidence in you.”
However, the young pacer also said that he is not concerned about his selection in Test team but is determined to perform well in Ranji Trophy 2016-17 season.
“I don’t think about selections. Wherever I am playing I try to focus on that. I am always focussing on things I have to do in a match. I try to focus on how the wicket will be and what I need to do. If I get a chance it will be dream come true. I always believe in taking it match by match. Right now my focus is Ranji Trophy.”
“It’s always easier to play four-day after one day unlike reverse. In ODIs, one uses variations in short span of time. In longer format one needs to be consistent for a longer duration. It’s a test of skill and as professionals we need to adapt,” he concluded.