Local flavour in global affair

Bumrah of town the talk as he returns to his roots when India take on Pakistan at Ahmedabad; pacer excited and hoping for best experience

- GOMESH S

THE Goyal Intercity society in Thaltej Road, Ahmedabad is considered a calm place and it was its true elements on Thursday evening. Same can be said about the Nirman High School. The classes were over early and it was as quiet as an empty classroom could be.

You wander around the gates of the society and mention Jasprit Bumrah, the security guard nods in recognition. He had lived there for a few years. Later, though, Bumrah had left the C-4 block, where he grew up, to a different address. In the school, you don't even have to say the name.

There is banner of the Nirman Cricket Academy with Bumrah's picture. His face is pasted all over. News articles and pictures of Bumrah from various tournaments were in display. After all, they are proud of the ex-student of Nirman - Bumrah.

Soon after the India-Afghanistan game got over in New Delhi on Wednesday, all the attention shifted to the hosts' clash against Pakistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday. Bumrah, who was there at the post-match press conference, couldn't have escaped the obvious question whether it is a homecoming for him. But the pacer, in his own way, subtly diverted the topic and shed few ounce of pressure off his shoulders.