‘There’s no one like him’: Dale Steyn and Aakash Chopra explain why Jasprit Bumrah is the best bowler
Jasprit Bumrah picked up his 16th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as he demolished South Africa on Day 1 of the first Test at Eden Gardens. Dale Steyn and Aakash Chopra later explained why the India pacer is unmatched.
Jasprit Bumrah once again showed why he is considered one of the best fast bowlers in the world as he produced a brilliant five-wicket haul on Day 1 of the opening Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens. The South African batters had no answer to his spell, and were bowled out for just 159.
India finished the day at 37/1, still 122 runs behind but in a strong position. KL Rahul and Washington Sundar, who has been promoted up the batting order in the absence of Sai Sudharsan, will continue the effort on Day 2. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the only wicket that fell for India before the play was called off due to bad light.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Steyn and Chopra praise Bumrah
Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn praised Bumrah heavily after watching his spell on Day 1. Steyn picked Bumrah as his player of the day and said that he completely changed the game after a quiet start. He said that Bumrah’s bowling spell was the standout for him on the opening day.
“Another fascinating day of Test cricket. My player of the day would have be Jasprit Bumrah. Just the way he adjusted after his first couple of overs. Wasn’t picking up any wickets and then he came back and found a wicket of Rickelton. Got the wicket of Markram with an absolute snorter. Then came back to finish off the innings to put India in a pretty commanding position for the day. That spell of bowling for me was the standout,” Steyn said in commentary.
Indian commentator Aakash Chopra also called Bumrah a rare talent, saying no other bowler in the modern era comes close to him. “There’s no one like Jasprit Bumrah. If Test is art, Bumrah is its artist. He is not predictable at all because of the kind of variations he has. If you think I am going to play him on the front foot, his next delivery will be a short one which will hit you on the gloves. He has control over each of his deliveries. He is not just the best of this generation, but in the last 50 years,” Chopra said on Star Sports.
Bumrah’s figures of 5/27 in 14 overs showed how he dominated the game. He broke a solid opening stand by removing Rickelton and then dismissed Markram with a fiery delivery that triggered the collapse. He later cleaned up the tail to make sure South Africa did not cross 160.
Mohammed Siraj supported him with two wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav also picked up two important scalps in the middle overs. South Africa started well at 57/0 but collapsed badly as Bumrah’s pressure kept increasing.
End of Article
