Variety key to death bowling success

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India seamer Jasprit Bumrah believes developing new variations will help him stay ahead of the opposition as he looks to cement his status as the death bowler in the team.

Bumrah has had a great deal of success with his lethal Yorkers but insists he will look to mix things up to maintain his great form.

The seamer told PTI: “You cannot be successful by just bowling Yorkers. Nobody can bowl six out of six yorkers. So you have to mix your pace. You have to bowl bouncers, mix up the pace. In practice, I don’t only bowl yorkers.”

Bumrah has made a great start to his ODI career taking 17 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 14.64 having debuted in the series in Australia in January.

The quick compared bowling Yorkers to bowling length balls, saying it is just a matter of practice.

Bumrah added: “It’s nothing like that. I practise death bowling. Yorker is similar to bowling a length ball. The more you bowl, the better you get at it.

“I bowled yorkers for Gujarat and Mumbai Indians. Before that, I used to play tennis ball cricket. I don’t know but that could also be a reason. I practise. I give proper time to death bowling.”

The Mumbai Indians youngster admitted to admiring Pakistan quicks Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis while also drawing inspiration from a few notable Aussie quicks.

Bumrah went on: “As I played a lot of tennis ball cricket, I used to watch Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis a lot. Then Mitchell Johnson. These three used to be my favourites and I would try and copy them. Also Brett Lee (bowled lethal yorkers).”

The right-armer lauded the captaincy of MS Dhoni: “He (Dhoni) has been such an experienced captain. Has played India for a long time. He helps us.

“Tells us what do exactly on what kind of wickets. He gives us a picture of what to expect and that helps us to express ourselves. You can then try new stuff knowing that captain has confidence in you.”

Bumrah aims to play as best he can in every match and says he is not thinking about a Test call up at this stage.

He said: “I don’t think about selections. Wherever I am playing I try to focus on that. I am always focusing on things I have to do in a match.

“I try to focus on how the wicket will be and what I need to do. If I get a chance it will be dream come true. I always believe in taking it match by match. Right now my focus is Ranji Trophy.”

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