How Bumrah ticked all boxes on T20 comeback

He’s the best for a reason. And against Ireland, after almost a year out of action, Jasprit Bumrah pulled on an India kit and was immediately the best bowler on show.

It may have only been a sample size of two matches, but his economy rate of 4.87 made him the only bowler in the series to concede runs at less than one-a-ball. His tally of four wickets at an average of 9.75 was also the best in class.

This was bonus Bumrah. His initial injury timeline had him returning for the Asia Cup, but a successful and extensive rehabilitation programme had him back for India two weeks earlier.

“I’m coming back after a long time,” Bumrah, 29, said ahead of the series. “I just want to enjoy. I’ve never stayed away from the game for this long. I'm not thinking 'I'll do this, I'll do that' or 'I have to contribute a lot'. I have come here to enjoy it because I like cricket. Expectations, I'm not keeping too much of it.”

And enjoy it he did. His average seam movement was the most of any seamer on show, while the amount of swing he found was middle of the pack. It’s a combination that makes Bumrah so potent, as he combines enough through the air with the ability to extract exaggerated movement from the surface.