The England vs India Test match at the Lord’s Cricket Ground will be remembered for numerous reasons. The match witnessed some enthralling cricketing action as well as intense heated moments.
In one such incident, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a barrage of bouncers to James Anderson. Frustrated with Bumrah’s tactics, Anderson engaged in a war of words with the Indian pacers. In a video uploaded on Ravichandran Ashwin’s Youtube Channel, the Indian off-spinner revealed details about the incident.
Can’t put into words the feelings that we’re going through after that win! So proud of the whole team 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FRH20cbujl
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) August 16, 2021
At the innings, Jasprit Bumrah patted on James Anderson’s back to tell him that the bouncers that hit him weren’t intentional. However, Anderson brushed him aside and asked:
“Hey mate! Why are you bowling so fast? Am I doing the same to you? All this while you were bowling in the 80mphs and suddenly on seeing me why are you bowling in the 90mphs?”
India’s fielding coach R Sridhar also added that Anderson had an unwritten rule about bowling bouncers to fast bowlers, and was unhappy with Bumrah’s ploy. The duo admitted that they were surprised with James Anderson’s question to Bumrah.
“That kind of statement coming from Jimmy Anderson was a surprise to me,” said Ravichandran Ashwin.
After the incident, England decided to give it back to the Indian pacer. However, all these incidents backfired for England and riled up the Indian team, who went on the win the match. “It sparked a fire in everyone and the effect was visible on day 5,” admitted R Sridhar.
“England took that Anderson incident very personally. Bumrah said he didn’t even know what happened but all of us got together and told him what Anderson said to him and that riled us up. What happened next was extraordinary,” said Ashwin.
