"I avoid looking at numbers" - Jasprit Bumrah after destroying England to complete 150 Test wickets

India National Cricket Team right-arm quick Jasprit Bumrah opened up on his stupendous bowling performance in the second match of the five-match Test series against the Ben Stokes-led England National Cricket Team at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam on Saturday, February 3.

While bowling for India in the first innings of England, Bumrah showcased sheer class and bamboozled the aggressive England batting unit. The pacer was not off to a good start in the match as the England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett batted with an attacking intent against all the Indian bowlers.

However, with India being slowly pushed on the back foot, Jasprit Bumrah stepped up and brought his side back into the game with his bowling masterclass. Bumrah not only brought back the momentum towards India, but he also completely pushed the Three Lions on the back foot, which slowed down their run rate.

Bumrah produced a couple of magical deliveries during his sensational spell and stunned Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes. Overall, the pacer picked up 6 wickets in the match and finished his spell with amazing figures of 6/45.

Speaking after the end of the second day’s play where England ended up with 253 runs on the board in their first innings, Jasprit Bumrah talked about his success mantra, which is the control over reverse swing. He said:

“You always enjoy when you get rewards. In India, reverse swing plays a big role. Born in this country, you know how to use it to your advantage. In India, you have to learn how to bowl reverse. I’ve grown up watching reverse swing set ups, legendary bowlers bowling magical deliveries. To be able to do it now, very happy with that.”

After that Pope delivery, I had in mind they’ll be looking out for the inswinger – Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah earned praise from many fans and experts for properly setting up the batters before eventually taking their wickets. He talked about the same after the end of the day’s play and stated:

“When you bowl reverse, people try to bowl magical deliveries every other ball. You have to be patient with that. Have to set the batters up. Have to use deliveries wisely. Can’t just bowl inswing outswing, inswing outswing. After that Pope delivery, I had in mind they’ll be looking out for the inswinger. 

Jasprit Bumrah also said that he doesn’t focus on the milestones as he only concentrates on enjoying his game. The pacer believes that thinking about the numbers puts a player under pressure. Jasprit Bumrah asserted:

“Was keeping an eye on what the batters were looking to do. Very happy. Try and avoid looking at numbers. When you do that, you build pressure and don’t enjoy yourself.”

Notably, Jasprit Bumrah has become the Indian pacer with the best bowling figures at home in this century. Also, he is the pacer with the second-best bowling average in Test cricket history for a bowler with 150+ wickets in the purest format of cricket. He is only behind Syd Barnes (16.43) and has an average of 20.28.