Team India opener KL Rahul was taken aback after Jasprit Bumrah’s spell in the opening Test in Nottingham was being deemed as a ‘comeback’. Bumrah returned with nine wickets in the first Test against England, including a five-wicket haul in Nottingham.
Incidentally, Bumrah faced a lot of criticisms for his below-par performance in the WTC final where India lost to New Zealand. While everyone is looking at this Test as a comeback match for Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul is not ready to agree.
9 for 110. He is such a champion. #Bumrah. The bowlers have done their bit
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 7, 2021
Speaking on Bumrah’s performances, Rahul stated that he’s their “number one bowler” and has proven his mettle in diverse conditions.
“Sir, I don’t know why you are saying that (Jasprit) Bumrah has made a comeback. Every time, in every game, in every condition he has proved himself and he is our number one bowler. We are happy that he is doing what he is (has) been doing since he started playing Test cricket.
“Wherever he has played, he has been a match-winner for us. We are happy that he has done once again, what he does best,” Rahul said.
The line and length Jasprit Bumrah bowled was the biggest takeaway: KL Rahul
Rain saved England but lots of positives for India this test:@MdShami11 2 wkts in an over @ 138-3.
@klrahul11 and @ImRo45 opening.@imjadeja and the tail.@mdsirajofficial and @imShard with crucial breakthroughs.
And @Jaspritbumrah93 throughout.
Team performance 👏🏻 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/fCADEKH4BR— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) August 8, 2021
Jasprit Bumrah picked a couple of crucial wickets which brought India close to winning before rain spoiled the entire day 5’s play which forced the visitors to settle for a draw. In 21 Tests, Bumrah has picked up 92 wickets with six five-wicket hauls and a hat-trick since 2019.
As far as the Nottingham Test was concerned, KL Rahul was impressed with India’s bowling and its discipline.
“The way we bowled in the first innings and the discipline that we showed after losing the toss and bowling first (was a takeaway). It felt like the team which won the toss had an advantage and we bowled with a lot of discipline. How Mohammed Shami and Bumrah started and how Shardul and Siraj continued, how all of them worked together and bowled in the right channels,” he signed off.