When it's bat vs bat, I switch off the TV: Bumrah

The New York surface had enough assistance for the bowlers but India had only 119 runs to defend against Pakistan in their second match of the 2024 T20 World Cup on June 9 (Sunday). The Men in Blue managed to pull off a heist, defeating their arch-rivals by just six runs. 

Jasprit Bumrah was the star of the match. The ace paceman said the key on this surface was not to go looking for magical deliveries and get too desperate.

“So, that's very important, even when there is help, you can be desperate, and you can try to go fuller and try to pull that magic delivery. I tried not to do that but when we came, the swing and seam had reduced,” said Bumrah, who was named Player of the Match for his spell of 3/14. 

“We had to be accurate because if we go for magic deliveries and try to be too desperate, run making becomes easy and they know the target. So, we had to be very mindful of not overdoing it and yes add up pressure, use the big boundaries, try to use things to our advantage. That is what we were doing. So, in that we created pressure and everybody got wickets.”

The required rate was just six runs per over and Pakistan were 72/2 at the end of 12 overs. However, that’s when Hardik Pandya dismissed dangerous Fakhar Zaman before Bumrah knocked over well-set Mohammad Rizwan (44-ball 31). Pakistan’s lower-order batters weren’t good enough and failed to do the job.

“We are very, very happy with the result that we got and the biggest positive for us was the calmness because when we were batting in the morning, there was a lot more help and when we started rolling the skies opened up and the ball stopped seaming and there wasn't a lot of lateral movement,” added Bumrah.

“We had to be more consistent and more accurate and we as a unit were very calm and very clear on what we wanted to do. So, we are very happy that as a unit we were able to contribute and created that pressure and then we were able to get the win.

“We were a little disappointed with the total that we had put up because we wanted to add more runs and obviously that was not the plan. We left one over as well. So, once we started, we were very clear the message in the huddle was that now that is over, now what is next? What are the things that are in our control? 

“We will try to focus on that and not to create panic because yes, there will be boundaries here and there. People might play good shots, but we'll have to try and be composed and try to hold our shape. So that was the biggest positive, not at any stage did I feel that the panic had spread in the team and we were looking too far ahead.”

It was Bumrah who got the first wicket, getting Babar Azam caught at first slip. The right-arm fast bowler then dismissed Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed and helped India get their second win of the tournament. Bumrah said the surface didn’t offer as much help as it did against Ireland.

“Whenever there is help, you can get excited. You can try pole hunting, bowl bouncers, out-swingers, in-swingers. But you don't have to do that. I have learned that over the experience. But this time, it was not happening a lot. The ball was not doing a lot. Yes, we did create pressure. A little bit of lateral movement was there but not too much, not as pronounced as the last game.”

In the first innings, India lost Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma inside three overs. Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel added 39 runs for the third wicket before the latter fell to Naseem Shah. India were still 89/3 at one stage but that’s when all hell broke loose. They lost their last seven wickets for just 30 runs and were bowled out with one over to spare.

“Obviously we were a little disappointed by the total. We wanted to put more runs on the board because we knew that there was some help and chasing a total on a tricky wicket can be difficult. But then the sun opened up and the seam did go down. We were a little disappointed with the total. We obviously wanted to put more runs on the board.

“But then once that was done, we were focusing on what we could do. And then when that third over of mine - that was a crucial stage of that situation that if that would have been an over that would have gone Pakistan's favour, then the game would have gone in that favour. And I think at that moment the moment shifted to our side and we were able to capitalise.”

Bumrah has been in super form of late. In two games so far, the seamer has picked up five wickets at an average of 4 and an economy rate of 2.85. Even in the Indian Premier League 2024, Bumrah took 20 wickets at an insane economy of 6.48.

“See a year ago, the same people were saying that I might not play again and my career is over and then now the question changed. But I don't look at that. For me, I am not looking at, I am bowling to the best of my ability. I try to solve the problem that is there in front of me and try to control the controllables. I know it's a cliche answer that everybody just comes and says.

“But I was trying to focus on what is the best option over here on a wicket like this. How do I make shot-making difficult? What are the best options for me? So that way, I try to stay in the present and focus on what I have to do. Because if I look at the outside noise, if I look at people and pressure and emotion takes over, then things don't really work for me.”

The run scoring has been extremely difficult in this World Cup and guess what, Bumrah is loving it. “I can't be happier listening to this. I always advocate bowlers, but we're very happy with the appreciation that bowlers have received because our country is obviously a batsman-loving country and we understand but we are very happy that bowlers are coming up front. 

“Obviously, the IPL that we played was not very bowler friendly but we are very happy that we didn't come here with that baggage and when we are getting help here, we were trying to use it. I have played a lot of cricket in my young years.- when the bat and ball challenge is good it is more interesting to watch the match. When it's bat vs bat, I switch off the TV. I have been a fan of bowling since childhood. When there is a challenge between bat and ball, that is the game I like. No complaints. I am very happy.”

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