Malinga taught me how to keep calm during crucial moments, says Burmah 

MUMBAI INDIANS PACEMAN Jasprit Bumrah attributed the improvement in his bowling to the guidance of senior teammate Lasith Malinga. 

Bumrah, who has picked 12 wickets in 10 games at an economy rate of less than eight, divulged that he takes suggestions from the Lankan seamer even when the duo are not playing for MI. In an interaction with TOI, Bumrah revealed that he learnt to bowl the outswinger courtesy of the Lankan veteran.

“Earlier, I didn’t know how to bowl an outswinger. He taught me how to do it. He gave me the confidence that even though I’ve a different action, that doesn’t mean it won’t work. `It will work and have confidence in that,’ he told me. Even when I’m not playing the IPL, I still talk to him about what kind of things I should do to improve myself.” 

The youngster stated that Malinga has backed his strength and boosted his confidence. 

“When I started playing cricket, I used to get angry, aggressive, I used to do stupid things in front of the batsman. I could go and say anything. But as I played more cricket with him, I realised that the more-calmer you’re the better you’re, because at that time your brain starts to work and you come to know what things you’ve to do. Malinga told me not to get very angry. You’ve to keep a calm head and focus ahead.”

The 23-year-old also said that he does not believe in sledging and that he focusses on trying to contain the batsman.

“If I start to do that, I think I lose control. I don’t want to drift away from the situation. I want to focus on the things which I have to do. I’m aggressive, I always look to contain the batsmen, but I don’t sledge. I’ve learnt that from Malinga.”

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