Lord’s, July 11, 2025 – Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah once again showcased his mastery at the “Home of Cricket” today, delivering a spellbinding performance on Day 2 of the third Test against England. In a devastating display of fast bowling, Bumrah cleaned up centurion Joe Root and then dismissed Chris Woakes with the very next delivery, swinging the momentum firmly in India’s favour.
Day 2 Begins with Root’s Milestone, but Bumrah Strikes
England started Day 2 in a strong position, with Joe Root nearing his century. The accomplished right-hander quickly reached his 37th Test ton, hitting a boundary off Bumrah’s first ball of the day. However, this early joy for England was short-lived, as Bumrah, relentless in his pursuit, was just getting warmed up.
Stokes Falls to a Bumrah Special
Before his double strike, Bumrah had already sent a warning signal by dismissing England captain Ben Stokes for 44. Bowling from around the wicket, Bumrah delivered a peach that jagged back in, sneaking through Stokes’ defense and hitting the top of the off-stump. It was a classic Bumrah delivery, leaving the England skipper with no answer and looking back at the pitch in disbelief.
The Double Blow: Root Bowled, Woakes Caught Behind
The real fireworks began in Bumrah’s very next over. After dismissing Stokes, Bumrah unleashed another unplayable delivery that darted back in to Joe Root. Root, who had just completed his century, attempted to drive but got a faint inside edge onto his stumps. The middle stump went cartwheeling, and Lord’s erupted as India celebrated the prize wicket. This was the 11th time Bumrah had dismissed Root in Test cricket, a testament to his dominance over England’s premier batsman.
Remarkably, Bumrah wasn’t done. With the crowd still buzzing from Root’s dismissal, he delivered a full, away-swinging ball to the incoming Chris Woakes. Woakes, perhaps caught between defending and driving, offered a tentative prod, and a muted appeal from the Indian slip cordon soon turned into a confident review after a discussion with captain Shubman Gill. Replays confirmed a clear spike on Snicko, and Woakes was out for a golden duck, leaving England reeling and Bumrah on a hat-trick.
Momentum Shifts Dramatically
Bumrah’s incredible two-in-two spell, following his dismissal of Stokes, ripped through England’s middle order, reducing them from a comfortable 251 for 4 to 271 for 7 in a matter of minutes. His ability to seam the ball both ways, coupled with his express pace and accuracy, proved too much for the English batsmen.
The Lord’s crowd, known for its appreciation of quality cricket, applauded Bumrah’s sensational effort. This spell not only gave India a significant advantage in the ongoing Test but also further cemented Bumrah’s reputation as one of the most formidable fast bowlers in the world.
