Table of Contents
In a gripping contest at Headingley, Leeds, Jasprit Bumrah once again proved why he is India’s premier strike bowler in overseas conditions. On Day 2 of the ongoing first Test against England, Bumrah dismissed Joe Root again in Test cricket, further extending his dominance over the former English skipper. Despite Bumrah’s brilliance, England staged a spirited fightback with the bat, ending the day at 209/3 in response to India’s imposing first-innings total of 471.
Jasprit Bumrah delivers a masterclass on a flat Headingley pitch
With the pitch offering little for fast bowlers, Bumrah rose to the occasion through relentless accuracy and movement off the seam. He accounted for England’s top three — Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Root — finishing with figures of 3 for 25 from 13 high-quality overs. His probing lines drew over 35% false shots, highlighting just how difficult it was for batters to get on top of him.
While the rest of India’s bowling unit struggled to extract much from the surface, Bumrah continued to create opportunities. A couple of catches went down off his bowling, which might’ve made his spell even more damaging had they stuck. Nevertheless, his efforts helped slow England’s scoring rate and ensured India stayed in the contest.
The Bumrah-Root rivalry: Modern cricket’s fiercest duel?
Among Bumrah’s many prized wickets, Root remains a standout. The two players have been involved in a gripping mini-battle for years, and Saturday’s dismissal marked the 10th time Bumrah has removed Root in Tests — the most by any Indian bowler and second overall, only behind Pat Cummins (11).
Also WATCH: ENG vs IND – Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after dismissing Joe Root for the 10th time in Tests
Root was dismissed for just 4 runs in the first innings at Headingley, continuing a recent trend of Bumrah having the upper hand. Their head-to-head record makes for compelling reading:
- 2018: 44 runs off 127 balls, dismissed twice
- 2021: 150 runs off 291 balls, out four times
- 2022: 50* off 62 balls, not dismissed
- 2024: 42 runs off 79 balls, dismissed three times
- 2025: 4 runs off 11 balls, dismissed once
Overall:
- Balls faced: 570
- Runs scored: 290
- Dismissals: 10
- Strike Rate: 50.9
- Average: 29
- Dot balls: 419
Bumrah’s consistency, ability to adapt, and knack for striking early in Root’s innings have been crucial in swinging momentum India’s way time and again.
Despite Bumrah’s fiery spell, England were able to mount a solid reply, thanks to stellar unbeaten century from Ollie Pope. With the score at 209/3 at stumps, the hosts still trail India by 262 runs but have set a strong platform. The battle for control will resume on Day 3, and India will be hoping Bumrah can strike again early to tilt the balance back in their favor.
