Jasprit Bumrah says it is his dream to play Test cricket for India

Jasprit Bumrah in action

Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah has said that playing Test cricket for India was now his ambition but admitted that he wished to stay in the present and he was looking to do well in what he had in hand at the moment.

“It is my dream to play Test cricket for India. Any cricketer who plays the game professionally wants to taste the challenge of Test cricket. I am no different. But it's my nature to remain in the present and not look too far ahead. Now I am concentrating on what is in my hand and try to excel in that,” Bumrah told Cricbuzz in an interview.

One of the 22-year-old’s USP is to deliver toe-crushing yorkers at will and Bumrah revealed that the ability to execute that ball came from state cricket and he didn’t develop it all of a sudden while playing for India.

“It's not that I started bowling yorkers at the international arena. I honed my skills while playing for Gujarat and in the IPL. I used to watch (Lasith) Malinga practice in the Mumbai Indians nets. He used to keep a pair of shoes at the popping crease and fire in his yorkers. If you keep bowling a delivery, you manage to perfect that. I am not saying that I have managed to master the art of bowling yorkers, but it is definitely a major weapon in my armoury. During pressure situations, it is important to have confidence in your ability,” he added.

When asked the key requirements to deliver at the back end of an innings, Bumrah said that one needed to have a clear head and belief in one’s abilities.

“It is important to have a clear head while bowling at the death and one has to have self-belief. I back myself to execute my plans. At times, the plans don't work but more often than not one is successful,” he said.

Bumrah made his international debut for India in January earlier this year and reflecting upon his maiden season in the game, he said that he learnt a great deal from the likes of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Ashish Nehra etc.

“I have learnt a lot. There are so many talented players in the Indian dressing room - so much of experience. I tried to learn from them. I picked the brains of Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), Virat (Kohli), Ashu bhai (Ashish Nehra). How they prepare before a match, their work ethic, how they approach a difficult situation - I have tried to imbibe all that in my game,” he said.