How a fractured thumb helped Bumrah become a better bowler

As astonishing as it may sound but the fractured thumb has helped Jasprit Bumrah comeback fitter and stronger than ever before, revealed the fast bowler himself after his spell with the second new ball ended England’s fight and took India on the doorstep of victory in the third Test match at Trent Bridge.

As astonishing as it may sound but the fractured thumb has helped Jasprit Bumrah comeback fitter and stronger than ever before, revealed the fast bowler himself after his spell with the second new ball ended England’s fight and took India on the doorstep of victory in the third Test match at Trent Bridge.

Bumrah, considered a limited-overs specialist even till last year, was out from limited overs series and the first half of the Test series in England after fracturing his left thumb in the first T20I against Ireland but made a strong comeback in the third Test.

He ran through the England middle-order in a superb spell of fast bowling with the second new ball to claim his second five-wicket haul that too only in his fourth Test. England ended the day at 311 for 9 with India needing only one wicket to close the gap on England in the five-match series.

"When I was injured I was working on my fitness and my training schedules. I was always in touch with our trainers so that whenever I come (back) I should be in good space. All of that helps today," said Bumrah.

The injury being in Bumrah’s non-bowling hand helped the young man from Gujarat to work on his fitness and pace during the time he was not fit to play. Bumrah, who had to wait till the third Test because his injury did not allow him to bat or field, invested a lot of time in the nets.

"You don't get anything easy. You have to work for it. We work hard. That hard work makes you successful on days like these. The hard work we do away from the camera is what bears results on days like these," he said.

England were reduced to 62 for four at one stage before a 169-run partnership between Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes rescued the hosts and frustrated the Indin bowlers. Bumah turned it all around with second new ball accounting for Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes and 

"In white-ball cricket, things are different, over there you outsmart the batsman, and over here in Test cricket, it's all about patience and consistency. That was my main focus today. You can't blast the batsmen out.

"I was looking to bowl good lengths and always challenge the batsmen with good lengths and a good line. So, in the end, it was a good day. I got the edge (off Root)."

Bumrah said he enjoyed his contest with both Joe Root and Buttler, adding that consistency is the key to bowling in these conditions.

"We've played together for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, so I've bowled a little bit to him (Buttler) in the nets, but not a lot. It's always an interesting competition because he's an attacking player. He's an important player for their team as well. If he gets a good start, he keeps on going and it could create problems.

"I was just focusing on my strengths, what has worked for me before. I've got him out 2-3 times in the IPL as well and in the nets as well. I was just focusing on that, what has helped me when I was bowling to him. I have a clear plan, a clear head and a clear space of mind."

Talking about bowling attacking angles to both left and right-handed batsmen, the pacer added, "My focus is to always enjoy and bowl good lines and lengths. Test cricket is all about consistency and patience. In one-day cricket, you outsmart the batsmen. Here it's all about consistency. It doesn't matter if I bowl to a left-hander or a right-hander."