India and England legends heaped praise on Jasprit Burmah after his stunning performance in the Leeds Test as he claimed another five-wicket haul. Bumrah ended with figures of five for 83 as he helped the visitors claim an important six-run lead.
England looked to be closing in on overhauling the score posted by India after a fast start to the second session and a frustrating stand between Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse. However, Bumrah came in to clean up the tail and ensure India went into tea with the lead.
This was Bumrah’s 14th career five-wicket haul, his 12th one outside India and emulated Kapil Dev. Speaking to the broadcasters, Sunil Gavaskar showered praise on Bumrah, saying that whenever the pacer has the ball in hand, it seems likes the batter is going to have a bit of a problem.
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“He’s been sensational. If not for those drop catches, he might have had even seven or eight wickets to show against his efforts. He’s been the difference when he’s had the ball in his hand. Just about every delivery, it looks as if the batter is going to have a bit of a problem,” said Gavaskar.
Gavaskar said that he rates Bumrah amongst the very best bowlers in history and the greatest one in the current era. The Indian legend said that Bumrah has the knack to be lethal with the new ball as well as the old one.
“I think he ranks amongst the very best. It’s difficult to compare different eras, different pitches, different opposition. But you know in the modern era, without a question he’s the greatest, he’s the best, no question. Because it’s not just the new ball, it’s with the old ball also, he picks wickets, you see, that’s the beauty of his bowling. A lot of bowlers are lethal when they have the new ball in their hands. That’s not the case with Bumrah. Bumrah can come with the old ball, and with the old ball also he can also get the ball to move around both ways. He’s got that slower yorker. He’s got that bouncer,” said Gavaskar.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that the hosts were trying to survive the spell from Bumrah. Vaughan claimed that Bumrah bowls deliveries that a batter can’t really be prepare for.
“Every time Jasprit Bumrah had the ball in his hand, you just knew as an England side, they were just trying to survive. Yes, Harry Brooks was stepping down to hit him, but I think they were always trying to see him off, but he’s just too good. He bowls balls that you can’t really prepare for,” said Vaughan.
Bumrah’s workload management has been a big question, with India coach Gautam Gambhir hinting that the pacer may play only three Tests in the tour. Vaughan said that India should capitalise on the gametime Bumrah will get and secure wins in the matches the pacer will play.
“Bumrah, I mean, if you play him 3 of the 5 games, I would say they’re probably gonna have to win those 3 games. To win the series, you think when Bumrah is in the side, India have to capitalise,” said Vaughan.
‘Utterly outstanding’
Mark Butcher, while speaking to Sky Sports, said that Bumrah was outstanding and is an absolute champion of the game.
“Bumrah has been utterly outstanding. Irresistible fast bowling. He is an absolute champion,” said Butcher.
Stuart Broad praised Bumrah for his bowling and wondered if India missed a trick by holding him back.
“Bumrah has moved the ball more than anyone else, brought drama, bowled jaffas and deserves the fine applause he received from this crowd. But you do wonder whether he should have been brought into the attack earlier on,” said Broad.
Bumrah also went past Wasim Akram for the most wickets by an Asian bowler (150 wickets) in SENA countries.
