Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra showered praise on Jasprit Bumrah after the fast bowler bagged a five-wicket haul against England in the first innings at Leeds, Headingley. Bumrah returned with impressive figures of 5-83 and played a key role in skittling out England at 465.
On the second day’s play, Bumrah accounted for Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Joe Root. On Sunday, Bumrah once again didn’t get the support of his fielders as Yashasvi Jaiswal fluffed Harry Brook’s catch when he was on 83.
Subsequently, when Chris Woakes was threatening to take England’s score past the Indian total, Bumrah was able to get rid of the all-rounder. Bumrah also dismissed Josh Tongue to wrap up the England innings.
This was Bumrah’s 14th five-wicket haul and his 12th in foreign conditions as he continues to impress.
“Jasprit Bumrah has taken one more five-wicket haul. Give him the Bharat Ratna because he is absolutely priceless. The guy is different. If people had taken catches and helped him a little more, he might have taken, not five, but eight wickets, and would have given a lead of 160 runs instead of six,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra said Bumrah would be able to play only three Test matches given the amount of workload he has on his shoulders.
“There is no one like Bumrah, but Jassi was alone. Shardul Thakur didn’t bowl much. Prasidh Krishna looked slightly undercooked. Mohammed Siraj looked tired towards the end. If you have the question in your mind as to how many matches Jasprit will be able to play, if he has to bowl so much, he will be able to play three matches only,” he added.
The former Delhi player continued his praise on Jasprit Bumrah for consistently delivering the goods for the team.
“An ode to Jasprit Bumrah should be written, such a phenomenal player that he is. He is like a fixed deposit. Whenever you need something, and give him the ball, he picks up a wicket. He is absolutely sensational,” he said.
Bumrah also went past legendary Wasim Akram’s tally of wickets in SENA countries. The ace fast bowler became the first Asian fast bowler to complete 150 wickets collectively in South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia.
“He has taken the most wickets by an Asian bowler in SENA countries. Wasim Akram is at No. 2. Wasim bhai took fewer innings than Bumrah, so you feel Wasim bhai might have taken them quicker, but that’s not the case. Wasim Akram bowled 1200 more balls to reach there. This guy is just unreal. He is Superman without a cape,” Chopra observed.
India finished the third day’s play at 90-2, leading by 96.
