Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah expressed his surprise at the widespread attention his unique "temple point" gesture received following his exceptional performance in the World Cup, especially considering his usual penchant for not celebrating due to fatigue.
The 29-year-old was named the Man of the Match in India's commanding seven-wicket victory over Pakistan, wherein he played a pivotal role.
Bumrah, along with New Zealand's Matt Henry and Mitchell Santner, currently leads the tournament's wicket-takers with eight wickets in just three games, and his incredible economy rate of 93 runs for eight wickets has been a standout feature.
Bumrah's performance during the high-pressure match also featured his distinctive celebration—pointing his right index finger to his temple.
This gesture is a nod to English footballer Marcus Rashford, who represents Bumrah's favourite club, Manchester United. Swiss tennis champion Stan Wawrinka also employs the same gesture during crucial moments in his matches.
Reflecting on his unexpected moment of fame, Bumrah explained, "I had no intentions of making it viral or spreading it everywhere. It just came to mind. I'd seen Rashford do it as well. I thought it was cool. There's no particular big backstory behind it. At the end, I decided to do it. Usually, I'm too tired to celebrate. But that is one occasion where I did celebrate."
Bumrah's exceptional performance included dismissing key players such as Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan, finishing the match with figures of 2-19. Despite India's perfect start in the World Cup, Bumrah emphasised that their focus is on recovery, with the team not yet contemplating a third World Cup title. India are preparing for their fourth game against Bangladesh and is prioritising a well-rounded approach to both their performance and team camaraderie.
