India's star speedster Jasprit Bumrah walked down the memory lane and shared a nostalgic note on his Instagram handle ahead of the decider Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
The 28-year-old recalled his Test debut which happened to be at Newlands and four years down the line life has come full circle for the Indian quick who again found himself at the same venue. This time, with a different set of challenges and a different mission. A mission to win the first Test series for India in the Rainbow Nation.
“Cape Town, January 2018 – is where it all began for me in Test cricket. Four years on, I’ve grown as a player and a person and to return to this ground brings back special memories,” Bumrah tweeted after the team’s first training session at the venue.
The 28-year-old Bumrah made his Test debut here in 2018 and took four wickets in the match, including that of AB de Villiers. The Indian team lost that match but Bumrah took a five-wicket haul in the Johannesburg Test to help the visitors to a fine win.
With a mindset to end the series 2-1, India will slug it out with the hosts in the series-deciding third Test from January 11- January 15, and Bumrah will be expected to play an instrumental role with the ball.
Bumrah has grown into the team’s leading pacer, picking up more than 100 wickets in overseas conditions.
Overall, Bumrah has taken 107 wickets in just 26 matches and played a role in India’s major wins in England and Australia. Interestingly, Bumrah has only played two Test matches at home so far.
India's regular captain Virat Kohli is also expected to return for the third Test as he missed the second Test due to back spasm. However, he was seen practicing in the nets in the close observation of India's head coach Rahul Dravid, which is a good sign for India.
