Former India batter Robin Uthappa shared his thoughts on Jasprit Bumrah's performance during the second T20I against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He suggested that Bumrah tends to lose his rhythm when he is overly eager to take wickets.
Speaking on Star Sports, Uthappa highlighted that Bumrah's unusual off day in the match, where India defended a modest total of 125, was due to him trying too hard to make an impact.
“When we were bowling after scoring 125, the start was very important. If we had picked up two or three wickets in the first three or four overs, the game could have been closer because we have quality spinners in the middle overs. I felt we were probably trying too hard to pick up wickets. So we got a little wayward.”
Although Bumrah took two wickets and conceded just 26 runs in four overs, Uthappa believed the pacer was not at his typically composed best. He noted that Bumrah’s occasional waywardness often arises from his desperation to strike early in the innings.
Uthappa emphasized the importance of an early breakthrough when defending a low total and believes that aggressive attempts to take wickets led Bumrah to lose his usual discipline and rhythm.
Uthappa’s observation underlines the challenge for bowlers like Bumrah to maintain calm and control when under pressure to perform quickly.
Author's summary: Robin Uthappa believes Jasprit Bumrah's eagerness for early wickets at MCG caused him to lose rhythm and composure, affecting his usual effective bowling performance.