Leeds, England – Jasprit Bumrah once again showcased why he is considered one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, ripping through the English batting lineup with a magnificent five-wicket haul in the first Test at Headingley. His relentless spell on Day 3 helped India secure a crucial six-run first-innings lead, bundling out England for 465 in response to India’s 471.
Bumrah’s Masterclass Amidst Fielding Lapses
Bumrah finished with exceptional figures of 5/83 in 24.4 overs, consistently posing a threat on a pitch that offered limited assistance to other bowlers. His victims included key English batsmen Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Josh Tongue.
Despite his individual brilliance, Bumrah was notably let down by his fielders, with several catching opportunities dropped off his bowling. Harry Brook, who ultimately fell for 99, was particularly fortunate, surviving multiple chances, including a no-ball dismissal off Bumrah’s bowling on Day 2. The Indian pace spearhead’s visibly frustrated reactions at times highlighted the missed opportunities, yet he remained composed and lethal, delivering crucial breakthroughs when his team needed them most.
Equalling a Legend: Bumrah Matches Kapil Dev’s Record
This five-wicket haul marks Bumrah’s 14th in Test cricket and his 12th in away Tests, a remarkable achievement that brings him level with the legendary Kapil Dev for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler in overseas conditions. What makes this feat even more impressive is that Bumrah achieved it in just 34 Tests, significantly fewer than Kapil Dev’s 66 matches. This also marks Bumrah’s 10th five-wicket haul in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) nations, making him the first Indian bowler to reach this milestone.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Witty Congratulations on X
Following Bumrah’s heroic performance, cricketing icon Sachin Tendulkar took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the pace spearhead, while also subtly highlighting the dropped catches that prevented a truly historic haul.
“Congratulations Bumrah! A no-ball and 3 missed chances stood between you and 𝙣𝙖𝙪 wickets. 🤪” Tendulkar witty tweeted, acknowledging Bumrah’s immense effort and the unfortunate missed opportunities that denied him an even bigger bag of wickets.
Bumrah’s lone warrior effort proved vital for India, ensuring they maintained a slender advantage heading into their second innings. With the match delicately poised, his performance has set the stage for an intriguing contest in the remaining days.
