• Source:JND
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Team India is preparing to face England in a five-Test series, beginning in Hyderabad. Jasprit Bumrah, the ace pacer, reminisced about his intense encounter with English quick James Anderson during the Lord's Test in 2021, which India won by 151 runs.

In that Test, Bumrah, after a crucial unbeaten 89-run partnership with Mohammad Shami for the 9th wicket, returned with figures of 3 for 33 in 15 overs. The focus, however, was on Bumrah's match-up with Anderson in the final overs of the game. With just one wicket remaining for victory, Bumrah targeted Anderson with a barrage of short balls, hitting him on the helmet, ribcage, and left hand.

Anderson had later commented that Bumrah was 'up there for intimidation.' Bumrah, in a recent interview with The Guardian, shared his perspective, mentioning that he tried checking up on Anderson but did not receive a 'good response.'

“I was tired, I thought the last wicket was there, I tried to push to bowl fast. I went up to him, asked ‘Are you OK?’ and didn’t get a good response. So that brought back some young memories; trying to be the nice guy and it not being taken well. And it triggered the whole team. It was red mist but it was channelled. Fighting and playing is second nature to us; controlling that is self-taught,” said Bumrah.

Known for his calm and composed demeanour on the field, Bumrah revealed that it wasn't always the case in his earlier days. Over time, he realized that being confrontational with batters wasn't helping him focus on his game.

“As a fast bowler who learned through watching television, I thought that you had to get angry, you had to have a word with the batsman … and when I started playing junior cricket, I was that guy. But in trying to do those antics, I realised that’s not me, that’s not helping me focus on the job in hand. I had to channel my anger because I am a fast bowler, I do get angry. I don’t want to get hit; I’m not here to entertain or give throwdowns, I want wickets, I am here to make you uncomfortable. But I don’t want to lose my shape or my zone.”

Bumrah also praised Anderson’s ‘passion' which is keeping him going at the age of 41.

“A lot of credit to (Anderson), I can genuinely say I’ve been watching him since I was a child. It’s a credit to him (he is still playing at 41), a testament to his hunger and passion. It’s one thing to have helpful conditions but to keep doing all that preparation. Skill, and technique can be learned but the will to keep going, that’s a big big tick for me,” he said.