Guwahati, Jan 25 (NationPress) India's pace leader Jasprit Bumrah expressed that he holds no strong preference between bowling with the old or new ball. He is content as long as he can make a meaningful contribution to the team's achievements, following India's decisive eight-wicket win in the third match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, which secured the five-match T20I series with two games remaining.

Chasing a target of 154, India overcame an initial challenge to reach the finish line in just 10 overs, with Abhishek Sharma scoring an impressive 68 not out from 28 deliveries and Suryakumar Yadav adding an unbeaten 57 off 26.

Abhishek's lightning-fast fifty in just 14 balls marked him as the second-fastest Indian to achieve this feat, propelling India to a remarkable 94/2 during the powerplay. However, before the batting fireworks, Bumrah delivered a stellar performance with the ball, taking 3/17 over four overs and helping to limit New Zealand to 153/9, despite efforts from Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, and captain Mitchell Santner.

Discussing his bowling spell, Bumrah highlighted his ability to adjust to the conditions after observing the earlier overs bowled by Harshit and Hardik. "I was attentive to what was optimal in these conditions. The white ball tends not to swing for long periods once it gets scuffed. So, I aimed to determine my best approach and implemented it," he stated during the post-match presentation, where he received the Player of the Match award.

When asked about his preference for bowling with either the new or old ball, Bumrah reiterated his adaptable nature. "I'm content as long as I can contribute. If the team prefers me to bowl with the new ball, I'm more than willing; likewise, if they need me to bowl at the end, I'm happy to do that. I embraced a new role during the Asia Cup, which was unfamiliar to me. Being flexible is essential for the team, and I embody that flexibility as well," he remarked.

This match also marked a significant milestone for Bumrah, who celebrated a decade in international cricket. Reflecting on his journey, he shared, "It feels incredible. As a child, I dreamed of playing just one game, and here I am, ten years later, representing my country as a pure fast bowler. Overcoming physical challenges and preconceived notions about my longevity in the sport is a source of pride for me. I look forward to continuing this journey, which I consider a personal achievement I'll cherish forever."