Cape Town, Jan 13: After bagging a five-fer against South Africa, India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah said that he just followed his process in the ongoing third and final Test here at Newlands.
The five-wicket haul marked his second against South Africa and seventh overall in Test cricket. The 28-year-old, who made his Test debut at the venue in 2018, added that coming back to the stadium is special.
“Nothing special out of ordinary. I just followed my process and focused on what I had to do,” said Bumrah in the virtual press conference on Wednesday.
“Playing in South Africa is special to comeback. I started my Test journey here. We wanted to create pressure. We didn’t run behind wickets. We focused on bowling and results came. I’m happy how all bowlers contributed.”
In the second Test at Johannesburg, Bumrah got only one wicket that too in the first innings. Reflecting on not being able to get wickets, he said, “Someday you get results, somedays you don’t.”
“Success is byproduct. I have a routine and follow it again and again. Someday I’ll get wickets, someday someone else will. There are doubters and supporters. At the end of the day, I have control to what I bowl. I avoid outside noise and just back my process.”
India lost openers before reaching 57/2 at stumps on Day 2 of the series-deciding match. India captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara found themselves in a tricky period, with just half an hour left for the day to end. The duo slowly build the innings and finished off the day with no further loss.
When asked how much should India put on board, Bumrah said, “There is no magic number I can say. We need to assess wicket. There is a little seam right now. We need to capitalise and build partnerships.”
“It’s a new ball wicket, on flatter side. Right now it is difficult to assess. I guess similar to how it behaved on day one. Let’s see when wear and tear happen.”
Bumrah also heaped praises on his fellow fast bowler Mohammed Shami, who got two quick wickets to turn the table in favour of India.
“His spell was fantastic. He’s got control and good rhythm. The two quick wickets he got brought us back in game. He is using his skills to the best of his potential,” he said.
Kohli had missed the second Test due to an upper back spasm but returned to lead India in the final match. When asked how much the India captain motivates the bowlers, Bumrah said that Kohli always backs the players.
“It’s bowler’s hard-work as well,” Bumrah chuckles before adding, “He (Kohli) is always there and always backs.”
