“As a youngster that is the first delivery I learned” – Jasprit Bumrah on his yorker to Ollie Pope in 2nd IND vs ENG Test.
In the second Test match between India and England in Vizag, Jasprit Bumrah showcased an outstanding performance, contributing significantly to India’s victory over England by 106 runs. This win proved to be a crucial comeback for the Indian team, leveling the five-match series at 1-1 after facing a defeat in the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal’s remarkable double century and Bumrah’s exceptional nine-wicket haul were the highlights of India’s triumph in Vizag. Bumrah’s prowess with the ball was evident as he consistently provided crucial breakthroughs, disrupting England’s momentum at crucial junctures of the game.
One of the standout moments of Bumrah’s performance was his delivery to dismiss the in-form batter, Ollie Pope, in the first innings. His toe-crushing yorker was executed to perfection, sending the ball angling in to dismantle all three stumps, marking a special wicket in the match.
Bumrah said “I don’t look at numbers. As a youngster, I did that, and it made me excited. But now it’s an added baggage. As a youngster, that is the first delivery I learned (yorker). Had seen the legends of the game. Waqar, Wasim and even Zaheer Khan.”
Bumrah’s impact extended beyond Pope’s dismissal as he continued to trouble the English batsmen throughout the game. He showcased his skill by dismissing key players like Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Foakes, and Tom Hartley, playing a pivotal role in securing India’s victory.
With his exceptional performance in the second Test, Bumrah also achieved a significant milestone in his career. He became the fastest Indian pacer and the fourth fastest overall, following the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Anil Kumble, to reach the milestone of 150 wickets in Test cricket.