You always remember where you come from: Jasprit Bumrah

It was a rare rest day on Tuesday for Mumbai Indians. Only the previous night they have been involved in a tight contest with Rising Pune Supergiant, going down by three runs. Mumbai Indians’ key pacer Jasprit Bumrah reflected the relaxed mood of the Rohit Sharma-led side at the team hotel.

The 23-year-old pacer from Gujarat with the odd arms-never-bend action made the most of the rest day, even engaging in a light-hearted chat with his head coach Mahela Jayawardene. After finishing with an interview at the rooftop of the team hotel in south Mumbai, the Sri Lankan legend was waiting for the elevator for quite a while when Bumrah suggested that he take the stairs. “I don’t want it, it is you who needs it,” Jayawardene said with a smile.

Bumrah’s limited-overs international career has been on a high since the selectors pulled him out from a Ranji Trophy game for Gujarat in January 2016 and flew him as a replacement for the Md Shami in Australia. Bumrah impressed straight away that made the then captain MS Dhoni call him as the “find of the tour”.

Behind the broad-framed spectacles, which was in contrast to Bumrah’s lean, fit physique, is a well-grounded personality. The early hardships he and his family faced after he lost his father when he was in Class 2 toughened Bumrah and made him level-headed. His mother had to raise Bumrah and his sister, and had to work to make both ends meet.

“I come from a middle-class family. When I was in Class 2, my father passed away. My mother had to start working,” Bumrah tells DNA in an exclusive chat.

“They were tough times. But that has brought us together. That made me stronger as well to face tough times in cricket. I always remind myself that if I have faced those times, I can always survive in this time. My mother has played a major role. She has done a lot for me. Now, it is my time to give back to her. I am very happy that I am able to make her proud and give her lots of stuff, which I always wanted to do.”

Bumrah comes across as one who will not let success in cricket go to his head. “Those hardships teach you to be level-headed. You always remember where you come from. Even if you are doing well, that teaches you what kind of a person you were. You have to be the same even after playing for India. You don’t change,” he says. Perhaps, this is why you rarely see Bumrah indulge in wild celebrations after getting a wicket.

The death-overs specialist stays in the present and does not think too far ahead. Ask him if he is using IPL as a preparation for Champions Trophy in England, and he wants to be doubly sure that he is selected before thinking about it.

“You cannot be complacent. You cannot take things for granted saying ‘you have done well, so you are a permanent fixture’. You never know what can happen, time changes. You always have to start as a beginner and that you still have to learn and there is a long way to go,” says the right-armer.

The desire to play in white clothing for India is burning inside him. “It is a dream to play Test cricket for India. But I am not in any kind of rush. Selection is something I don’t focus too much on. It is not in my hands. I try to do well wherever I play.

“I’ve done well for Gujarat and I'm very happy we won Ranji Trophy for the first time. I always focus on doing well wherever I play. Whenever I get the chance, I will put my best foot forward,” he says before proceeding to take the lift to his room.

(For full interview, visit here)