‘Trying too hard …’: Robin Uthappa dissects Jasprit Bumrah’s off day as India slump to defeat at MCG | Cricket News

Jasprit Bumrah of India looks on as Travis Head of Australia runs for a single. (Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: Former India batter Robin Uthappa offered a candid assessment of Jasprit Bumrah’s rare off day, suggesting that the pacer tends to lose rhythm when he tries too hard to take wickets. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking on Star Sports after India’s four-wicket loss to Australia in the second T20I at the MCG, Uthappa said the team’s eagerness to force breakthroughs backfired early in the innings.

“When we were bowling after scoring 125, the start was very important. If we had picked up two or three wickets in the first three or four overs, the game could have been closer because we have quality spinners in the middle overs,” Uthappa said. “I felt we were probably trying too hard to pick up wickets. So we got a little wayward.”Defending a modest total of 125, India needed early strikes from Bumrah, but the Australian openers, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, counterattacked brilliantly. Their 51-run opening stand set the tone for a dominant chase that was completed in just 13.2 overs. Varun Chakaravarthy dismissed Head and later added another scalp, emerging as India’s best bowler on the night.

Uthappa singled out Bumrah’s performance for closer analysis, pointing to a recurring tendency. “I have observed that whenever Bumrah gets desperate to pick up wickets, he becomes slightly wayward. When he is disciplined and hits a good line and length, he mostly picks up wickets,” he explained. “Australia took full advantage of that waywardness at the start.”While Bumrah struck twice in his final over, the damage was already done. India’s lack of discipline in the powerplay allowed Australia to dominate early, leaving their bowlers chasing the game.