If confidence is dented after one loss, then you don't deserve to play: Jasprit Bumrah

India’s new year did not kickstart the way they would’ve expected. After enjoying a successful season at home it was a chance to establish their dominion on foreign soil. The ongoing South Africa series presented India with the opportunity. But the first Test at Newlands, Cape Town poured water on all hopes as India succumbed to a 72 –run defeat virtue a poor show by the batting lineup.

It’s not a secret that the Indian batsmen have struggled to perform in the rainbow nation in the past. However, despite the current squad have an imperative batting depth, all of India’s big guns failed to deliver. On the other hand, the bowlers did some nifty work to keep the Men in Blue in contention.

Making his Test debut, Jasprit Bumrah stood up to the expectations and justified his selection. He looked to enjoy with the ball claiming 4 wickets in his maiden Test outing. He also picked up Protea marquee batsman AB de Villiers in both the innings. Speaking about the first Test Bumrah asserted that if one debacle dents the team’s confidence then it “does not deserve” to play Test cricket.

The 24-year-old speedster said as per quotes on DNA India, “Confidence is not dented after one match. If it happens, then you don’t deserve to play. Learn from the mistake you made and go forward. There is not a single cricketer who has not made a mistake.”

Team-management impressed with Bumrah

The Cape Town Test was Bumrah’s first first-class match in a year although he did have 89 FC wickets from 26 matches. Despite initial trouble, the speedster did well to adapt to the South African condition. He made quick amends to his length which impressed the team management as well. However, India still can’t afford to have a whole session of ordinary bowling because as Newlands showed us, the visitors only played catch-up thereafter.

With the second Test going to be a decider, India will need to pull something special out of the sack to overturn their woeful fortunes.