In the 2nd Test match between IND and NZ held in Bengaluru, the batsmen from the visiting team found Bumrah to be more intimidating than the spin bowlers.
During their Wednesday practice session, certain New Zealand batsmen signaled to their throw-down expert to release the ball from a lower side-arm position. One of them provided guidance, saying, “A bit more down, from that angle…” However, the stout specialist’s dedicated efforts to mimic Jasprit Bumrah’s whip-crack delivery resulted in erratic, off-target balls landing halfway down the pitch.
The comedic aspect from the side-arm angle indicates that even when faced with a potentially challenging pitch, where India’s array of spin bowlers reign supreme, New Zealand’s batsmen still dread facing Bumrah. Whether the Pune pitch reveals itself as a spinner-friendly track, a moderately turning one, or a flat surface, Bumrah remains a looming and menacing presence, much like the unerring cycles of the cosmos. His ability to influence the course of the game remains impervious to external factors such as weather conditions, pitch behavior, or the reputation of the opposition batsmen. Whether he’s operating with the new ball, an older one, or something in between, Bumrah possesses the skill to dismantle batting line-ups with a single spell of brilliance, reshaping the narrative of the game at will. India would be counting on their premier fast bowler to bounce back from his underwhelming performance in Bengaluru, hoping he can step up when needed. Conversely, Tom Latham and his batting colleagues are acutely aware that before they can tackle India’s spinners, they must first navigate the challenge posed by Bumrah.
In Bengaluru, it wasn’t the spinners that the visiting batsmen dreaded the most, but rather the formidable presence of Bumrah. It wasn’t just the overcast conditions or the pitch conditions that unnerved them, but the intangible qualities he brought — a blend of determination, intensity, and passion. Throughout the match, only Ravindra Jadeja delivered more deliveries than him, a minuscule four, to be precise. Bumrah’s aura was unmatched in instilling fear. Each delivery hinted at a game-changing moment. He doesn’t just offer hope to the fans; he inspires them to envision the impossible.
In the early hours of the fifth day, he dismissed Tom Latham with an lbw decision on only his second delivery, setting the stage for a surprising turn of events. Displaying remarkable aggression, he skillfully swung the ball in both directions, charging in with intense pace as if he intended to bowl for the entire session. New Zealand finally breathed a sigh of relief after enduring eight overs of relentless pressure. On a more fortuitous occasion, he might have reaped greater benefits from his exceptional performance, as the margins for success were incredibly narrow.
In only 11 Tests played at home, he has outshone spinners and showcased exceptional seam bowling skills, securing 47 wickets at an impressive average of 15.97. Each wicket taken every 34th ball has been a game-changing moment, evident in series like the recent England tour where India emerged victorious.
He ranked third in terms of wickets taken with 19, trailing Ravi Ashwin with 26 and Tom Hartley with 22, despite playing one Test match fewer than both. No one else achieved a wicket as frequently as he did (every 33rd ball); only James Anderson was more economical with averages of 3.09 and 3.06. Additionally, no one possessed the ability to capitalize on crucial moments or produce magical deliveries quite like Bumrah. His spell in Visakhapatnam, aided by reverse swing, not only earned him a place in the hall of fame but also became a pivotal moment in the series. In a situation where they were a game down and Ollie Pope, who had performed well in the first Test, was batting smoothly under the setting sun, Bumrah created a unique moment. Delivering a menacingly tailing-in yorker that left Pope clueless, it zipped past his defenses at 89kph, uprooting two stumps. Bumrah’s fascination with disturbing the stumps dates back to his teenage years when he practiced aiming at the baseboards at home, trying not to disturb his sleeping mother. This dedication to the craft remains unwavering for him.
A more subtle and less dramatic occurrence unfolded when Joe Root, England’s key player, was outwitted. He kept Root in check with four consecutive dot balls before delivering the decisive blow: angling the ball in, maintaining a beautiful seam position, making it jag away, thereby inducing Root to prod at it and nick it for a catch. Such precise dismantling of top-tier batsmen is a rare art. In Hyderabad, he trapped Root with a ball that nipped back and hit the pads. It’s a captivating battle between the finest in batting and bowling of our era, a contest that Bumrah is currently dominating. Having dismissed Root 13 times in 32 encounters across various formats, the Indian quick has certainly established his supremacy. During a fiery spell, he cunningly outsmarted Jonny Bairstow, setting him up with a deceptive combination of inswingers and outswingers. Bairstow, wary of the incoming delivery, ended up falling for a wide ball that he couldn’t resist poking at, resulting in an edge.
Bumrah’s exceptional performance in Visakhapatnam, where he took six wickets, showcases his mastery of subcontinental pitch conditions. With the new ball, he skillfully generates conventional swing and seam movement, transitioning seamlessly to reverse swing as the ball ages. Even when traditional swing eludes him, he deftly imparts subtle variations in delivery angles, manipulates the crease width, and cleverly incorporates cutters and slower balls to outfox batsmen. His collection of wickets taken with slower balls is nothing short of legendary, adding a unique dimension to his bowling prowess.
In home conditions, Bumrah stands out as the most impactful Indian seamer, surpassing even legendary names like Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami. While others were formidable in their prime, Bumrah’s presence haunts opposition batsmen to the extent that they resort to mimicking his unique skill set through their throw-down specialist.
