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regular-article-logo Tuesday, 21 May 2024

India vs England: Give Jasprit Bumrah a turner, he will just 'reverse' it 

Bumrah was bowling very well and moving the ball both ways, says Paras Mhambrey

Indranil Majumdar Hyderabad Published 28.01.24, 06:59 AM
Jasprit Bumrah after dismissing Ben Duckett on Saturday.

Jasprit Bumrah after dismissing Ben Duckett on Saturday. Twitter

Jasprit Bumrah had his hands on his face and almost threw a fit in desperation.

The fast bowler could have had Ben Duckett much earlier than he actually did on Saturday. The ball had jagged back to hit the opener on the back leg but Rohit Sharma decided against going for the review. Once the Hawkeye projection showed the ball hitting the stumps, he was left shell shocked.

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But Bumrah is not the sort to be bogged down by such disappointments. The conditions may have been tailor-made for the spinners but Bumrah still managed to work the ball to generate reverse swing.

He finally got it to reverse into the top of the off stump to break through Duckett's defence. As Duckett departed with a look of bemusement on his face, Bumrah pumped his clenched fists in a rare show of pent-up emotion.

England had tried to wrest the advantage with a flurry of boundaries but Bumrah struck in time to put the skids on their momentum. He wasn't done yet though.

Next over Bumrah got one to reverse again, this time dangerously carting in to leave Joe Root clueless. But the batter wasn't convinced about the leg-before decision and called for a review. There was no change in fate and Root had to go.

Bumrah was so threatening that Rohit kept going back to him every time there was a crisis. Four spells were enough to leave Bumrah drained and needed the medical team's attention towards the close.

"He was cramping a little bit. It was just a precautionary measure by our medical team, that’s it and nothing to worry," bowling coach Paras Mhambrey assured.

"Bumrah was bowling very well and moving the ball both ways. That’s the quality he has. He is a special bowler..." Mhambrey said.

"He has not played much (Test) cricket in India. Every time he turns up, he gives his best. In the dressing room, the conversations he has, the energy he brings on to the field, he is part of the discussion when the captain and support staff are around, he’s right there. It’s pure skills."

That Bumrah spell 5-0-17-2 has kept the game hanging still in the balance. The perfect team-man will be back to spearhead the challenge on the fourth morning.

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