Damien Fleming believes India should invest in players like Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah has grabbed the attention of cricket followers all over after just playing two international games in India's tour of Australia so far. In the two matches he has played so far, Bumrah has picked up five wickets and did not concede runs like most of the other bowlers did.
In the fifth ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Bumrah picked up two wickets and gave away only 40 runs in 10 overs as the other bowlers struggled to contain batsmen. His first international scalp was that of the Steven Smith, a batsman who enjoys playing against India.
He followed up the good showing on his ODI debut by picking up three wickets in the first T20I at the Adelaide Oval. He finished the match with 3/23 and initiated Australia's batting collapse after openers, David Warner and Aaron Finch took the hosts off to a flyer.
Incidentally, India won both the games that Bumrah played. It will be naive to conclude that India won only because of the youngster as the Indian batsmen contributed greatly, however, it has to be acknowledged that Bumrah's disciplined bowling at the start of the innings and in the death overs did give India a certain edge in both the games.
Former Australian fast bowler, Damien Fleming was highly impressed with the look of the 22-year-old speedster from Gujarat. Bumrah got the opportunity to play following injuries to India's frontline bowlers, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Fleming felt that the Indian management needs to invest in young players like Bumrah and build for the future. This, according to Fleming, could help the youngsters mature into better cricketers and help India gain greater heights.
“I liked the look of him. He was the bowler of the match for me in Sydney, and he has done very well here in Adelaide too. He obviously isn't lacking in confidence after playing for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He has a unique action and I hope his body holds up well in international cricket.
“Because he is quick and has good bounce, and he even bowled well in the death overs (in both matches), and Indian cricket should be investing in someone like that,” Fleming said.
India play the second T20I on Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and will be looking to seal the three-match series. If the Indians can put in an all-round performance like they did in Adelaide, India can, at least, return home with a brighter side to the tour Down Under.