English batsman Jonny Bairstow has heaped praise on Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah delivered a masterclass in the first Test against England, showing everyone why he is one of the best bowlers in the world. As such, Bairstow has hailed him, and called him world-class.
Speaking about Bumrah’s performance, Bairstow revealed what he felt impressed by, and pointed out his strengths as a bowler.
“Bumrah’s got amazing skills. He’s a world-class bowler,” Bairstow said.
“We’ve seen that in the IPL, we’ve seen in white-ball cricket for India, and now also with red-ball cricket. There is very little change in his action from his inswinger to his outswinger. He varies at the crease as to where his delivery points are. He has a slightly different run-up and action.”
Bairstow also pointed out how successful Bumrah has been in Test cricket, and credited him for his adaptability.
“If I’m not wrong, I think Bumrah’s played somewhere around 20 Tests, and about six of them have been in England,” Bairstow said.
“So there will be times when bowlers adapt according to certain conditions. In some conditions, they will be more suited. But you’ve got to give him credit,” he concluded.
Bouncing back
Bumrah is one of the best examples of the old ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent’ stick. Bumrah has taken no wickets in his last three Test innings, He has a poor performance by his standards in the WTC final against New Zealand. Many fans called for him to be dropped in favour of in-form alternatives.
Bumrah responded by picking up four wickets in his first innings, and helped India bundle out England for a paltry 183 runs. Then he did one better, and took five wickets in the second innings. It dumbfounded all his doubters, and certainly the English batsmen.
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