Bumrah unconcerned about workloads and injury, playing down past injuries after latest stellar display at Leeds.
Jasprit Bumrah unconcerned about injury and kept his health status close to his chest.
With a stress response in his previously operated-on back, Jasprit Bumrah continued playing Test cricket in Australia, leading the Indian attack and appearing to be the most dangerous bowler on the pitch. There were many worries during his absence about whether Bumrah had been bowled into the ground and how quickly he would recover from the injury.
Bumrah has not been pleased by the headlines.
“I can’t control what people write,” he said. “Nor am I trying to teach people what to write and what not to write about me. Everybody is free to write what they want. I understand cricket is very popular in our country, and I understand that using my name in the headline boosts the viewership. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter to me. Because if I let it get into my head, I will start believing it. I need my beliefs and my ways to dictate how I go. Not the way others want me to play.
“I always wanted to play for India. I played for India on my belief. I have played every format on my belief. I have always heard ‘no’ from people. First they said ‘you won’t be able to play’; then they said ‘you will last only six months’; then they said ‘you will last only eight months’, and just like that I have spent ten years in international cricket listening to all this. I have played the IPL for 12-13 years.
“Even now people keep saying this injury will be it. Keep waiting, I will not think about that. I will keep doing my work. Every three-four months there will be headlines but, let’s see, I will play till it is in my destiny. I prepare my best, and leave the rest to god. Whatever barkat [abundance or good fortune] god has given me, I try to carry it forward, and try to take Indian cricket forward.”