“We wanted to fight till the end and that’s the character we wanted to show”: Bumrah after epic win at the Oval
Xtra Time Web Desk: One of the chief architects of the Oval test win, Jasprit Bumrah on Monday said the entire team wanted to fight till the end despite the wicket not offering much help on Day 5.
"Yes, the wicket was fresh and we didn't score much in the first innings. But we didn't lose shape as a team and didn't think about lot of things that are said and lot of things that are written.We wanted to fight till the end and that's the character we wanted to show and things that are going outside is something that we wanted to address later," said Bumrah during the virtual press conference after Day 5.
Bumrah’s figures of 2/27 in 22 overs on a flat deck did not look menacing on paper but those who saw it witnessed how dangerous he looked against the English batsmen. According to Bumrah, the key was building the pressure.
"In Test cricket, nothing is easy. Even though it was a very good wicket, you have to bowl in right areas and that's the message you want to communicate. We had decided, even if wicket is on flatter side, we have to create pressure for the longest time.
"We created a lot of pressure in the first hour and we realised that it was a flat wicket and but our job was to not let the game slip away and we are happy to do that," Bumrah said.
Bumrah also said the team was not affected in any way after being told that Ravi Shastri and other support staff members tested positive in the middle of test match
According to Bumrah, "We focus on the good things. We want to focus on controllable things and we as a team are bunch of individuals who are very happy and fun-loving people, not always trying to find needles in all the things,"
Bumrah said the team completely shut the outside noise and was not overtly worried when they were down at 127 for 7 in the first innings.
Bumrah, who has taken 18 wickets in 151 overs so far in this series also shared the secret of his success. For him thinking too far ahead can get you mentally tired.
"I want to play longest time for my country so I work hard on gym, on my diet and everything I try to control. I train really well and I have got ammunition inside me and when I want to push, I can push hard.
"I am not thinking too far ahead about the IPL or World Cup because then mentally you can be tired. My focus is on the present, concentrating ball by ball and get results in our favour," signed off Bumrah.
