Bumrah’s Impressive Start at the World Cup
India’s fast bowler, Bumrah, has dismissed any concerns about his fitness or the added pressure of playing in a Cricket World Cup on home ground. He has made a swift start at the prestigious event, claiming the highest number of wickets so far.
Despite a back injury that kept him off the field for nearly a year, Bumrah has managed to take eight wickets in the first three matches of the tournament. The 29-year-old’s performance has been instrumental in India’s early success at the World Cup.
Player of the Match Performance Against Pakistan
In a high-stakes match against Pakistan, Bumrah added two more wickets to his tally, earning him the Player of the Match award. His performance was crucial in India’s victory, demonstrating his ability to rise to the occasion under pressure.
“As a child, I wanted to be a cricketer. I wanted to play for India, do the difficult job, and make my team win. That’s what I’m doing now,” Bumrah shared with ICC Digital Insider Tanvi Shah after India’s triumph over Pakistan.
Bumrah’s Key Role in Restricting Pakistan
Bumrah played a key role in limiting Pakistan’s start in their Cricket World Cup match. He returned later to dismantle their middle order, finishing with figures of 2/19 and taking the crucial wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan. His performance helped India secure a commanding seven-wicket victory in the highly anticipated match.
Experience and Expectations
Although Bumrah has had larger hauls in the 81 ODIs he has played since his debut in January 2016, he aims to use his extensive experience of playing in India to drive the host nation towards their first Cricket World Cup trophy since 2011.
“I’ve learned a lot over the years. I try to use my experience, having played a lot in this country, to help the team as much as I can. If you think about pressure, expectation, and responsibility, you won’t be able to perform with that baggage of expectation,” Bumrah stated.