Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has put his weight behind India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The right-arm fast bowler went wicketless in both innings of the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.
Bumrah was on the short side in the first innings and looked ineffective against the Kiwis batsmen.
On the other hand, Bumrah bowled his heart out in the second innings but he didn’t have the rub of the green. The fast bowler was able to produce Ross Taylor’s outside edge but Cheteshwar Pujara could not grab his chance at first slip when 55 runs were still required for the New Zealanders.
There is no doubt that Jasprit Bumrah is India’s best bowler across the formats but he had an off match in the big final. On the other hand, it should be noted that Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami have more experience than Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah was not able to hit the right lengths and areas in the WTC Final and he was not at his best.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Everyone takes time. Let’s be very very honest. When we talk about the batsmen, we focus for a long time that they should practice and befriend the pitch, play friendly matches and play a lot of deliveries. We don’t talk anything like that about the bowlers. We say that the bowlers can adjust even during the match. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t.”
“Ishant Sharma was very good but he was drawing on his experience, he has played county cricket in England as well and 100 Test matches. Shami has also played more Test cricket than Bumrah.”
On the other hand, Chopra added Bumrah doesn’t swing the ball much as he keeps his hand straight. Bumrah gets the seam movement of the deck but the swing bowlers are more effective in English conditions.
“There is no doubt Bumrah is a special bowler, he is one of its kind. Absolute phenomenal bowler but is quick in the air. He keeps his hand straight, so the ball goes absolutely straight, and doesn’t swing much. In the first half of the English summer, you need to make the ball move a lot more because the ball comes slightly slower after pitching. Then it becomes slightly easier to play.”
Bumrah will look to turn the tables in the upcoming five-match Test series against England and he is going to hold the key for the Virat Kohli-led team.
