Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s highly anticipated comeback to Indian cricket team is set to take place on Friday, August 18 during the first T20I against Ireland. Bumrah, a key figure in India’s fast bowling lineup, is returning after a 326-day gap since his last international appearance in September 2022 during the 3rd T20I against Australia. In that match, he had a challenging outing, conceding 50 runs in 4 overs. With senior players unavailable, Bumrah is poised to lead the Indian team in the T20I series against Ireland. He previously captained the team in a Test match against England in Birmingham in 2022. This comeback marks a significant moment for Bumrah after a period of recovery and reflection.
It will be a litmus test for India’s premier pacer as all eyes will be on him during the T20I series opener against Ireland at the Malahide Cricket Club. Bumrah looked confident as he bowled full throttle in the nets leading up to the series
Ahead of the T20I series opener he broke his silence on the dark phase when he was undergoing rehabilitation. He has been struggling with a recurring back injury, first suffered in September. He had to miss the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup last year. He was rushed into action earlier this year but failed to make the cut. He subsequently underwent surgery, missing the IPL and the WTC final. While the process was frustrating, the India pacer said that he was working more towards solutions than focusing on the negatives.
“At times, when the injury takes time to fully heal it can get frustrating. But instead of having self-doubts that maybe I won’t recover, I was only thinking about how to get better and how quickly I can get back to the field. Obviously, it is important that when the body needs time, you respect it. There were problems so I was thinking how I can solve them. Once the solutions came around, I was feeling good that I will slowly come back now and work my way up,”Bumrah said to the reporters before the first T20I.
He added, “I was bowling normally [in the nets]. It’s not like I am holding back. When my rehabilitation ended, I went home too and even practiced with the Gujarat team. I’ve done a lot of net sessions in a lot of places, and I’ve even played a lot of practice matches. In my rehabilitation as well, I was never preparing for a T20 game. I was always preparing for a World Cup competition. So I have been bowling 10, 12.. even 15 overs. I have bowled more overs so it becomes easier to bowl less than what is required.”