'Try to keep clarity' – Bumrah's formula for death-over bowling

Bumrah, who is placed No.1 on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Rankings for Bowlers, took 2/31 in his four overs for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Both the wickets came in his first spell, as he got the openers out in consecutive balls across two overs to set Hyderabad back towards the end of their Powerplay.

Then, he came back to concede just seven runs in the 17th over, at a point when the opposition needed to motor along at around 12, before going for 12 in the 19th over, when they needed 29 from 12.

His work for the day, however, wasn't done yet. Manish Pandey managed 16 in the final over to tie the scores at 162, forcing a Super Over, which the Indian pacer was called on to bowl. In great signs for India ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019, Bumrah ensured Hyderabad didn't even bat the full over. Pandey was run out in the first ball, scampering for a second, while Mohammad Nabi found his leg-stump dislodged in the fourth ball.

Mumbai needed to get 9, which they easily accomplished, and sealed a spot in the play-offs.

While Nabi described the pacer as one of the best to do the job at the death, Rohit Sharma was all praise for his strike bowler's desire to improve. "He keeps improving," the Mumbai captain said. "He's hungry for success ... He understands he's the lead bowlers for us. He held his nerve in those crucial overs."

For Bumrah, it is all about staying calm. "Sometimes the mind can get too negative. I try to focus on the ball I have to bowl, try to keep clarity. [For] the ball you want to execute, you've set the field accordingly, so you execute. You keep it as simple as possible," he explained at the post-match presentation.

"There is always pressure, but you don't try to think of the pressure. When I feel pressure, I think about what the team needs of me right now. I focus one ball at a time and think of what I need to do on that ball."

The 25-year-old, who's set to play his 50th one-day international game at the World Cup, has only grown in confidence over the past year, where he has featured in all formats. He knows he's lucky to have wise heads to offer counsel should he need it in high-pressure situations, but he's now keen to back his own plans.

"In the end it's your own decision," he said. "If you back your own decision, that's the best way to go. Backing yourself has always helped me."