IND vs ENG 2024: Bazball could get me ‘heaps of wickets’ – Jasprit Bumrah

India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah feels he will always be in the game in the upcoming five-match Test series against England if the visitors continue with Bazball. England batters have scored their runs at a quick pace since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes have taken over the head coach and captain’s roles respectively.

The English team has also reaped rewards for their aggressive approach, winning 13 out of the 19 Test matches. However, there is no doubt that it will be a challenge for them to execute their skills in tough Indian conditions.

Bumrah said he will always gauge his performances in Test cricket because he feels the format is ‘king’.

“I am of that generation where Test cricket is king,” Bumrah told The Guardian. “I will always judge myself on it. Yes, I started with IPL, but I learned to bowl through first-class cricket; that’s where I developed my skill, the art of taking wickets. In Test cricket you have to get the batsman out and that challenges you as a bowler.”

Meanwhile, Bumrah is well known to be right on the money and he feels he could get heaps of wickets in the upcoming series. The 30-year-old has picked 140 wickets in 32 Test matches at an average of 21.21 and he will look to be at his absolute best against the Three Lions.

“I don’t really relate to the term Bazball,” he said. “But they are playing successful cricket and the aggressive route of taking the opposition on, showing the world there’s another way to play Test cricket.

“As a bowler, what I think is that it keeps me in play. And if they’re going for it, playing so fast, they won’t tire me out, I could get heaps [of wickets]. I always think about how I can use things to my advantage. Kudos to them but, as a bowler, you’re in the game.”

Bumrah is going to lead India’s pace attack in the absence of Mohammad Shami. India and England will take on each other in the first Test match from 25th January onwards at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad.