“How can people forget Jasprit Bumrah’s numerous match-winning performances just after a couple of indifferent ODI games?” asked a miffed Mohammed Shami on Saturday to counter the criticism levelled at his new ball partner.
Bumrah went wicketless in all three of India’s defeats against New Zealand with questions being raised over his performance.
“I can understand we are discussing on a topic (after a certain length of time) not just after 2-4 games. Just because he hasn’t performed in two games, you can’t just ignore his ability to win matches,” said Shami after the second day’s play in the warm-up game against New Zealand XI.
“What Bumrah has achieved for India, how can you even forget that or for that matter ignore it? So if you think positively, then it’s good for the player and his confidence also,” Bumrah’s senior partner said.
The veteran pacer didn’t forget to take a dig at critics who he feels have a job to comment, forgetting that Bumrah is coming back from a stress fracture on his lower back.
“As a sportsman, it’s very different. From outside, it is very easy to nitpick as some have a job to comment and earn money. Every sportsman can get injured and one should try and look at the positives rather than harp on negatives. I also got injured in 2015 (knee surgery) but then bounced back,” Shami said
What baffles Shami is how people’s perception changes if a player goes through a sudden slump in form.
“People tend to think very differently and when you do not do well for a few games, their view point about you changes. So on our part, we shouldn’t over-think.”
Easily the most versatile bowler in the current line-up and having been the best Indian bowler on view during the second day of the warm-up game, Shami seemed happy with kind of track that was on offer.
“It was a bit green and the wicket was damp on the first day compared to the second day. Yesterday (First Day) morning, it was challenging and we wanted to take up that challenge. Today it was drier compared to yesterday (Friday), with cloud cover, the conditions became helpful.
“There was good bounce and carry, so felt good bowling on a track. These kind of tracks are a rarity and since we have pacers of that calibre, we reaped its benefits.”