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In a riveting display of skill and mastery during the second Test in Visakhapatnam against England, Jasprit Bumrah, India‘s pace spearhead, emerged as a relentless force, inflicting substantial trouble upon the England batters in both innings. The contest unfolded as a saga of cricketing brilliance, marked by Bumrah’s extraordinary performance that left an indelible mark on the match and the series at large.
Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling masterclass class against England in Visakhapatnam Test
As the second Test commenced, England found themselves at one stage in a strong position at 114/2 in response to India’s formidable first-innings score of 396. However, the narrative took a dramatic turn with the entry of Bumrah into the bowling attack. Displaying an exceptional spell of reverse-swing bowling, he orchestrated the downfall of the visitors, bundling them out for 253. Bumrah’s figures of 6/45 in 15.5 overs showcased his dominance and showcased his unparalleled ability to dismantle even the most resilient batting lineups.
The fourth innings witnessed a repeat performance of Bumrah’s brilliance as England, tasked with chasing a challenging target of 399, faced the relentless onslaught of the pace maestro. Bumrah emerged once again as the chief destroyer, claiming three crucial wickets that played a pivotal role in scripting India’s resounding 106-run victory. His total tally of nine wickets in the match rightfully earned him the prestigious Player-of-the-Match award.
Also READ: England’s great Geoffrey Boycott rips apart Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum for their ‘bazball’ approach after defeat against India in the 2nd Test
Michael Atherton reveals crucial weakness in Ben Stokes and Joe Root’s technique
Speaking to Sky Cricket, former England captain Michael Atherton, in the aftermath of the game, extolled the virtuosity of Bumrah, emphasizing the unsettling impact of his extraordinary skills on even the most accomplished English batters. Atherton’s analysis delved into the challenges faced by Ben Stokes, a seasoned campaigner, in coping with the sheer pace and precision of Bumrah’s deliveries. The scrutiny extended to Joe Root, England’s stalwart, who found himself repeatedly at the mercy of Bumrah’s cricketing genius.
“Picking with the speed of the ball is tough with him and I’ve noticed with Stokes, even Stokes actually is an excellent player of fast bowling. He’s hurried with Bumrah. He struggles to pick up the pace, and a couple of times when he’s got him, it looks as though the ball has kept low, which has but it also almost beaten him for pace as well,” Atherton said.
“I think that’s the issue with Bumrah. A kind of stuttering run-up and suddenly like a thunderbolt at 90 miles an hour. So, if you’re a person like Root who has kind of pre-movements. Some batters like Zak Crawley for example stand very still, he just stands there and plays the shot. Whereas most batters have triggers or pre-movements, and Root is one of those, he has kind of rhythmical back and forward and that I think is the problem,” the 55-year-old concluded.
India vs England
With the series finely poised at 1-1, following England’s triumph in the first Test in Hyderabad and India’s emphatic comeback in the second, the cricketing fraternity eagerly anticipates the unfolding drama in the upcoming third Test scheduled to commence in Rajkot on February 15. The stage is set for another chapter of enthralling cricket, as both teams vie for supremacy in this engrossing five-match series.
