REJUVENATED BUMRAH READY TO ROAR AGAIN

Making a comeback, the pacer aims to enjoy the game and not have unrealistic goals

- GOMESH S

THE ball is firmly gripped in the left-hand as the pacer starts speed-walking from the start of his run-up. A couple of seconds in, he would look at the ball and find the seam to hold it with his bowling arm. The eyes then go up looking straight at his target, the batter. The speed-walking continues for a few more steps before he hops and starts sprinting. Blink twice and the pacer would have delivered a rocket yorker or an accurate bouncer. The batter looks frazzled.

For the better part of the last decade, this has been a familiar, and a rather cherished sight in Indian cricket. And the pacer tormenting the batter was Jasprit Bumrah, until there was a small pause due to injury. Every time he ran in, there was anticipation of a wicket. When his name was on the team sheet, the team got confidence. Format didn't matter, nor did the stakes of the match. But there was always a concern of injury with his action, which is rather peculiar. And it eventually came at a time when India probably needed him. For the first time in his career, he missed a global event T20 World Cup last year.