Jasprit Bumrah returned to international cricket after 11 months with two wickets in his first over in the T20I against Ireland, and Indian fans couldn’t be happier.
Bumrah was affected by a back injury during the ODIs against England in 2022, and last played any professional game in September. An attempt at making a comeback in January failed after he experienced back stiffness in the nets, following which he underwent surgery earlier this year.
Bumrah is now fit and is leading the India T20I team against Ireland, starting on Friday (August 18). The tour presents an opportunity to gauge his fitness levels and bowling rhythm ahead of a hectic schedule, starting with the Asia Cup in a fortnight, and ending with the World Cup in India.
Bumrah, who admits to feeling relieved and refreshed as he makes a comeback, did not send down the most memorable first ball, which was dispatched away for four by Andy Balbirnie. However, the quick bounced back immediately with a swinging ball that came back in ferociously to dismantle his stumps. Bumrah picked up another wicket three balls later, sending back Loran Tucker to end the over with figures of 2-4.
His return sent Indian fans into a tizzy as they saw their star bowler back in full flow.
What a start from the #TeamIndia captain 🤩
Bumrah back to what he does best 💥#IREvIND #JioCinema #Sports18 pic.twitter.com/IryoviTKGo
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) August 18, 2023
Bumrah and Prasidh both have begun well and that should make them feel good about themselves.
Always good to get a wicket straight away🔥🔥✅ #INDvsIRE
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 18, 2023
Jasprit Bumrah is like any bowler, in that it will take him some time to get back up to full speed after an injury lay-off. It's just that for him, that means getting hit for four first ball and then taking 2-0 in the rest of the over
— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) August 18, 2023
Jasprit Bumrah is finally bowling again
Indians: pic.twitter.com/iLOcp7nKRJ
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) August 18, 2023
His comeback after the opening-ball four is as heartening as his return to the India fold.
A skilled, smiling craftsman just doing his thing with a ball in hand. Such a welcome sight in cricket, Jasprit Bumrah is.#INDvIRE | #IREvIND
— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha) August 18, 2023
The timeline has been lit up by Jasprit Bumrah. 🙏🏼
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) August 18, 2023
Bumrah takes two before you can go Haye with the very first one. Ideal start for Jassi.
Jai Mata Di.#IREvIND
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) August 18, 2023
