Jasprit Bumrah, who came back to international cricket following nearly an entire year away from the sport owing to a recurring back problem, is leading a young Indian team as they face Ireland in the opening match of three T20Is on Friday in Malahide. Due to the peculiar method the right arm quickly bowled, he was always vulnerable to these problems and given the length of time he devoted to rehabilitation, many had already written him off as past his prime.
A peach of an inswinger that sent Andy Balbirnie's bails fluttering was among the two victims in the 29-year-old's dreamlike first over using the new ball. However, in the usual fashion, he wasted little time in turning the tables.
First up, Bumrah’s ambitious inswing strayed to the batter's pads, which resulted in a comprehensive flick for four, but he corrected himself with the very next ball. He invited Balbirnie to drive by pitching a ball at length that was far outside off, however, the ball swung in strongly, taking the inside edge and rattling onto the stumps.
Two deliveries later, Lorcan Tucker delivered his signature inswinging yorker, further whipping up the crowd. On the penultimate delivery of the over, the speedster effectively clinched the deal when Tucker's ambitious effort at a reverse ramp caught the top edge and was cleanly pouched by Sanju Samson behind the stumps.
“The body needs time to recover and you need to respect it.” : Jasprit Bumrah
The Indian team skipper Jasprit Bumrah, before the series began, spoke about his mindset while rehabilitating at NCA. He said, ‘When it takes time to recover from injury, it can be frustrating. Instead of doubting myself, I was thinking about how to get fit and make a comeback. It is important that the body is given time and respect. I never took it as a bad phase and didn’t think my career is over. I was trying to find a solution and I felt good when the solution was found. He said, ‘I met a lot of players in NCA. Sometimes things are not in your control. The body needs time to recover and you need to respect it."
Fans react to Jasprit Bumrah's blistering opening spell against Ireland on his comeback to the Indian team: -
Bumrah in his first over:
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 18, 2023
4, W, 0, 0, W, 0
Best in the business forever in India. pic.twitter.com/6vcp9TAhsO
Beast is back #IREvIND #Bumrah #Rinkusingh #irelandtour
— ORANGE ARMY (@SUNRISERSU) August 18, 2023
World Cup coming home 🔥🔥🔥🔥😭😭😭
— User45 (@140off113) August 18, 2023
Boom Boom Bumrah 💥
— Sugam Tripathi (@Sugamcasm) August 18, 2023
Looks a little down jn pace but is already faster than Midesh Kumar
— Prantik (@Pran__07) August 18, 2023
He's doing the right thing on pace, just slowly and steadily he's come back to his best.
— Ankit (@cricholic90) August 18, 2023
What an Over by bumrah!#IREvIND
— Ajeet Singh (@Roajeet007) August 18, 2023
pakistanis be scared on 2nd sept 2023
— Annu Kamble (@AnnuKamble4) August 18, 2023