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Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian cricket team‘s spearhead pacer, has finally addressed the intense scrutiny faced by Hardik Pandya and the Mumbai Indians during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL).
Jasprit Bumrah’s understanding of the emotional landscape
In a candid interview with The Indian Express, Bumrah acknowledged the emotionally charged atmosphere surrounding Indian cricket, describing India as an emotion-driven nation.
“We understand (that) we live in a country where emotion is really the talking point. It’s an emotion-driven country. We understand that fans do get emotional, and players are also emotional,” said Bumrah.
Bumrah’s views on Hardik Pandya’s criticism
Bumrah further emphasized the toll of such intense criticism can take on players, particularly when they are representing their country. The pacer’s words underline the immense pressure players face in the spotlight of Indian cricket.
“It does affect that you’re an India player, and you’re playing in India, and your own fans are speaking that about you. But it is the way it is. You’ve got to take it on your chin. How can you go out there and stop people?” Jasprit added.
Maintaining perspective
To cope with the game’s ups and downs, Bumrah stressed the importance of maintaining perspective. The pacer emphasized the need to stay grounded and not let external criticism define one’s self-worth.
“If you start focussing on yourself, you try to shut that door,” he revealed.
Bumrah highlights the fickle nature of public opinion
Bumrah also touched upon the rapidly changing nature of public opinion in cricket and highlighted that the success or failure of a team can dramatically alter public perception, emphasizing the need to avoid getting carried away by either praise or criticism.
“Now, that narrative has changed since we won the World Cup,” he observed.
Also READ: Hardik Pandya’s heartfelt reaction to Natasa Stankovic’s post following their divorce
Jasprit elaborates on a sportsperson’s journey
The Gujrat pacer offered a philosophical perspective on the challenges faced by athletes. He elaborated on this situation as a palindrome, a vicious cycle in every sportsperson’s career.
“You understand it now, because we play a sport that is so popular, every sportsman will go through these things. In football, you see fans booing the best players in the world. This is a part of the sportsman’s journey, things will happen that are not great, sometimes, it might not be fair also, but it is the way it is,” he said.
A call for positivity
In concluding the interview, Bumrah urged his peers to approach challenges with a positive mindset. His balanced perspective offers valuable insights into the world of professional sports.
“We have had a great life, we’re doing good things in our sport and for ourselves. All these challenges will come, but it will be better if you take it in the right manner,” Jasprit concluded.
