On the greatest day in Indian sporting history, the cricketers were almost obligated to give a performance that could come close to matching the Tokyo highs of Neeraj Chopra, Bajrang Punia and Aditi Ashok. And Jasprit Bumrah did just that with an inspired spell of fast bowling in Nottingham as India found themselves well-placed to go 1-0 up in the five-Test series against England
Since the time Bumrah has started playing Test cricket, the Indian attack has got a different dimension. His awkward action, ability to move the ball in and make it straighten after pitching have left the best batsmen in the world baffled.
On Saturday too, he was at his lethal best, especially with the second new ball as India dismissed England for 303 in their second innings. It left India with a target of 209 and by stumps, India had reached 52-1. 208 is the highest scored by a visiting team (West Indies in 1980) to win a Test at Trent Bridge, and if the weather holds, it can be an intriguing final day.
There was a time on Saturday when things threatened to go out of India’s hand. England captain Joe Root (109), who completed his 21st Test century, was at the peak of his powers and India were just about to hit desperate stations. But Bumrah, with the second new ball, got one to straighten after pitching that got the nick of Root to send the England captain home.
The rest was a walk in the park for Bumrah as he polished off the tail with his pace and swing to finish with 5-64.
While Bumrah’s control of his craft was the highlight for India, it was the genius of Root that gave England hope against a relentless Indian pace attack.