ndian cricket stalwart Jasprit Bumrah lauds the burgeoning Indian cricket team for skillfully dodging the weight of expectations, emphasizing that carrying undue pressure could impede their performance for the country. The talented seamer's sentiments come in the wake of a triumphant victory against Ireland in the second T20I, where he led a youthful Indian team to a resounding 33-run victory and secured an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. This victory also marks Bumrah's maiden series win as captain.
Bumrah expressed his elation at the team's performance during the post-match presentation ceremony. He revealed, "It is very pleasing. It is tough to pick an XI. It's a great headache to have. Everyone is eager. Everyone is confident. All of us wanted to play for India." He underscored the significance of allowing young players to climb the ladder without the burden of high expectations. "Eventually, everyone has to work their way up. If you play with a baggage of expectation, you are under pressure. You have to keep those expectations aside. You are not doing yourself 100 percent justice if you are playing with so many expectations," Bumrah emphasized.
The spotlight of the match was on Rinku Singh, the Player of the Match, who showcased his mettle with a spirited knock of 38 runs off 21 balls. This outing allowed Singh to translate years of diligent practice into a memorable performance on the grand stage. Speaking about his achievement, he stated, "I am feeling very good. I was trying to do what I have done in the IPL. I was very confident and tried to stay calm."
In a light-hearted moment during the presentation ceremony, Bumrah, along with the post-match ceremony translator, playfully asked Singh, "Captain ki baat sunta hai (Do you listen to your captain?)" To this, Singh responded with a grin, affirming his obedience to the captain's direction. Reflecting on his success, Singh mentioned, "I am feeling very nice. I have been playing for 10 years. All my efforts have borne fruition. I am happy to get the Man of the Match award in my first game."