Break was not difficult as I didn't feel any pain, says fit-again Bumrah

The forced four-month break due to a stress fracture "wasn't a difficult" period for India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as there was "no pain" and he utilised the time away from the game to work on his strength and conditioning.

Bumrah is making a comeback to competitive cricket against Sri Lanka in the opening T20 international here on Sunday.

"It was not difficult for me as I was never in pain. Not even for a single day. I took it as an opportunity to build my strength," Bumrah told bcci.tv after his first training session with the team.

He was always updated about how the team was progressing and did his homework so that he is not found wanting once he is back in action.

"I was always keeping a track on what is happening so when you are back in the team, you shouldn't be too far away."
"Initially what happened, I was playing a lot of cricket and it was very difficult to manage the hunger. I was playing regularly. Then I got a break and after that I felt like 'now you want to play as soon as possible'. You are always eager but you don't want to rush into things."
"Very good inputs (from bowling coach Bharat Arun). I was always in touch with the support staff. The team management also kept on asking me what was going on and how was I progressing. Constant monitoring was going on. They asked questions like what do you want to do now that you are back from break."