Jasprit Bumrah up for fresh new challenge as India gear up for Ireland T20Is
Jasprit Bumrah is expected to go through a tough test when India face Ireland in a three-match T20I series. The Indian speedster hasn’t had the best of times over the last 12 months, jostling with injuries.
He hasn’t played any cricket since India’s home T20Is against Australia. Apart from missing the T20 World Cup 2022, he also missed the bus for the all-important World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, which India lost by 209 runs at the Kennington Oval.
Now with the Asia Cup and the World Cup ahead, Bumrah cannot afford another slip-up by any means. The fact that he is the skipper for the series is an added responsibility for the pacer.
Bumrah has built such a reputation that whenever he steps on the field, he is expected to perform. But since he is returning from a break, it would not be a surprise if he seems a little rusty, at least in the first T20I, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, August 18 at The Village in Dublin.
Ireland is a tough team to beat at home and last year, they made India work hard for their wins. The hosts have a strong middle-order, consisting of the likes of Harry Tector, Curtis Campher and George Dockrell. Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie are two of the veterans.
Hence, Bumrah will have to try his heart out to reap the rewards against the Irish batters. The seamer, however, has experience of bowling against Ireland. Back in June 2018, he finished with figures of 4-0-19-2, dismissing Stirling as one of the wickets he picked.
Bumrah currently holds the record of the fastest Indian fast bowler to pick up 50 wickets in T20Is, although Arshdeep Singh is close to breaking it.
India are yet to name their squads for the Asia Cup 2023 to be hosted by Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Bumrah must be itching to show that he is fit to play in the multi-nation event and in the World Cup as well.
