“Rohit was proactive…” – Zaheer Khan credits Rohit Sharma for Jasprit Bumrah’s stupendous spell vs England
by CA Junior Staff · CricketAddictorFormer India pacer Zaheer Khan, who was a part of the Indian contingent that lost their last red-ball series at home against England back in 2012, hailed India’s skipper Rohit Sharma for his timely tactical bowling change and bringing in Jasprit Bumrah before the latter brought the hosts back into the game following initial dominance in the 2nd innings on day 2.
Just as he did in the 1st Test by helping the home team gain positive momentum before Ollie Pope’s masterclass, Jasprit Bumrah has brought life back into the Indian dugout with his exceptional reverse swinging spells. The 30-year-old has been the top performer for India and has also become the fastest Indian pacer to claim 150 Test wickets, overtaking Javagal Srinath and Kapil Dev on the way.
England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley gave the visitors a very good start by amassing 50+ runs within a blink of an eye before the former became Kuldeep Yadav’s first wicket upon return to Test cricket. Then Crawley was smashing the ball everywhere and was looking likely to reach triple figures before falling prey to Axar Patel for 76.
The Three Lions instantly came under immense pressure after that and middle order started to collapse like a house of cards just like it did in the 1st Test. Jasprit Bumrah’s first wicket of the day was England’s most experienced batter in these conditions – Joe Root who was caught at first slip by Shubman Gill, cheaply for just 5 runs.
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It was then Ollie Pope’s turn to face the wrath of Bumrah. The Englishman was unlucky not to bring out his bat to stop an unplayable yorker but was lucky that the ball didn’t come crashing on his toes or else he would have felt what Shamar Joseph had to go through when enduring a toe-crusher from Mitchell Starc.
Then Johnny Bairstow got out in the exact same way that Joe Root did in an action replay before Kuldeep Yadav quickly swept Ben Foakes and Rehand Ahmed in his supporting act.
Jasprit Bumrah came back for his spell and moments later he removed English skipper Ben Stokes for 47 before sending Tom Hartley to the pavilion and completing his 10th 5-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Zaheer Khan Hails Rohit Sharma’s Calculated Move To Bring Jasprit Bumrah Into The Attack
Zaheer Khan was all praise for Rohit Sharma’s move to bring Jasprit Bumrah into the attack and called the move very calculated and thoughtful.
“The move to bring back Jasprit Bumrah was a well calculated move. Rohit was proactive after Zak Crawley’s wicket fell and he was aware enough to know that Root has just walked in, and Ollie Pope has done the damage in the previous innings, so bring in your best bowler, create the opportunity and Bumrah reacted beautifully to that opportunity,” Zaheer Khan said as quoted by India Today.
“The moment Bumrah started that spell, you knew that something was going to happen. The reverse swing was on offer and Bumrah – we know – what he can do once there is any swing on offer,” Zaheer Khan added.