Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan highlighted Jasprit Bumrah’s evident eagerness to take wickets on the second day of the second Test between India and South Africa, pointing out the quick bowler’s distinctive stride as he returned to the top of his run-up.
Bumrah’s enthusiasm translated into a stellar performance as he secured figures of 6-61 in 13.5 overs, playing a crucial role in India bowling out South Africa for 176 in their second innings in Cape Town on Thursday, January 4. Subsequently, Rohit Sharma and his team chased down the 79-run target with seven wickets to spare, thereby leveling the two-match series.
In a conversation on Star Sports, Pathan commented on Bumrah’s impactful bowling spell, saying,
When he was walking back to the top of his run-up, you could see an urgency in his gait. He wanted to pick up wickets. The intention was absolutely clear, that he didn’t get a five-wicket haul and Siraj got it (in the first innings).
The southpaw emphasized that Bumrah exhibited a crucial and much-needed aggressive approach on the morning of the second day, which the situation demanded from him.
“We saw a fantastic aggressive Jasprit Bumrah, which was required as Markram was showing amazing aggression.”
Aiden Markram showcased his prowess with a spectacular innings of 106 off 103 balls, launching a fierce assault on the Indian bowlers following Keshav Maharaj’s dismissal. Nevertheless, Jasprit Bumrah’s early breakthroughs were pivotal in preventing the visitors from facing a daunting fourth-innings target.
Indian team is fortunate to have Jasprit Bumrah- Irfan Pathan
Irfan Pathan believes India is fortunate to have a premier bowler of Jasprit Bumrah‘s caliber. Irfan explained,
The Indian team is fortunate that they have a leader in bowling who brings a very awkward action and knows how to make the conditions immaterial. His passion for playing Test cricket makes him extremely special.”
The 39-year-old added that the unorthodox pacer boasts an outstanding Test record in South Africa,
“It seemed like he had come with the thought of bowling more outswingers. So we got to see wickets with outswing,”
“The caught and bowled (Marco Jansen’s dismissal) was also amazing. After Javagal Srinath, his record on South African pitches has been amazing. He is just behind him in the wicket-taking tally,”
Bumrah has accumulated an impressive tally of 38 wickets at an excellent average of 20.76 in eight Tests in South Africa. Among the Indian pacers, Bumrah is only behind Javagal Srinath who notched up 43 dismissals at a slightly higher average of 25.27 in the same number of Tests in the Rainbow Nation.