Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman was surprised that the team’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah didn’t change his length in the World Test Championship final against New Zealand. Bumrah had a rare off-day against the Kiwis on the third day of the game as he failed to hit the right areas.
The right-arm fast bowler from Gujarat bowled a tad shorter in length and he should have pitched the ball up to the batsman, which is the ideal length in English conditions. There were huge expectations from Bumrah as he is India’s best fast bowler but he was not right on the money with his length.
Bumrah went wicketless on the third day of the WTC final as he conceded 34 runs in the 11 overs he bowled. Bumrah did look off the boil and he was definitely not at his absolute best.
It was crucial for India to pick up early wickets after they were skittled out for a paltry score of 217 runs in the first innings.
“You want the batsman to drive the ball through covers in these conditions. You want to create that chance by getting that outside edge,” Laxman told Star Sports. “I was surprised that Bumrah was not able to change the length which is required to be effective in English conditions” he added.
On the other hand, Sanjay Bangar, India’s former batting coach, also agreed with Laxman and stated that the Indian bowlers could have bowled a bit fuller against New Zealand.
“Yeah I agree with Laxman. Ishant was able to derive the maximum swing and seam. For the majority of his cricketing career, Ishant has always been an inswing bowler. When an inswing bowler tends to go closer to the stumps, then he loses that swing quite a bit,” Bangar opined.
The Indian bowlers were not up to the mark on the third day’s play and they will need to turn the tables on the Day fifth of the Test match if the rain gods stay away from action.
