Bumrah hails Akram, Johnson
mumbai — On a high after a consistent performance in cricket’s shortest format lately, India’s promising young seamer Jasprit Bumrah on Wednesday revealed that iconic pacers Wasim Akram, Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson are the bowlers he looked up to and admired.
“I admire a lot of bowlers. My all-time favourite bowlers are Mitchell Johnson, Wasim Akram and even Brett Lee. I used to watch their videos and I used to bowl,” Bumrah said at a press conference here.
“I had to learn from everybody — from Mitchell Johnson I have learnt a lot. I have learnt a lot from Lasith Malinga, Zaheer Khan. Whenever I go to a senior bowler, I ask questions. There is not a particular role model but I try to learn from any senior bowler who has played international cricket.”
Bumrah’s Indian Premier League (IPL) side Mumbai Indians come up against Kolkata Knight Riders in a high-octane Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Wankhede Stadium here on Thursday.
Mumbai, two-time winners and defending champions, have found some momentum after a slow start to the season and are in the fifth spot with six points from seven games, with three wins and four losses.
The 22-year-old said that he has gained a lot of experience from playing in Australia Down Under, followed by Asia Cup and World Twenty20.
“I feel really nice because you get to learn a lot. From Australia I learnt quite a lot, then Asia Cup, Sri Lanka series. We had a lot of series. From the Indian team I learnt quite a lot because many senior players are also there with me,” he said.
“I have always looked to learn from everybody. That experience really helped. Now in the T20 format I have played so many matches in international cricket. I am trying to carry that experience in the IPL as well.”