Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah dismissed England opener Ben Duckett for 62 on Day 2 of the first Test between England and India at Leeds on Saturday, June 21. Duckett tried to drive a full delivery from around the wicket but inside-edged it onto his middle stump in the 29th over.
The breakthrough came at a crucial time for India, as Duckett and Ollie Pope had built strong momentum on a pitch that was becoming increasingly batting-friendly. Their 122-run partnership for the second wicket had given England a solid platform in their first innings.
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This was Bumrah’s second wicket of the innings, having earlier removed Zak Crawley for just four runs in the opening over with a brilliant delivery that left the batter with no chance.
With this performance, the 31-year-old also achieved a major milestone, becoming the Asian fast bowler with the most Test wickets across South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia. He now has 147 wickets in these four countries, surpassing the legendary Wasim Akram, who had taken 146.
India’s Bowlers Struggle After Bumrah’s Early Breakthrough
Jasprit Bumrah gave India the perfect start by dismissing Zak Crawley for just four runs in the very first over. However, the rest of the bowling unit, with Mohammed Siraj leading the charge, struggled to maintain consistent lines and lengths, allowing England to capitalize on the loose deliveries throughout Day 2.
To make matters worse, the Indian fielders dropped two catches off Bumrah’s bowling. Captain Shubman Gill introduced spinner Ravindra Jadeja into the attack before bringing on the fourth seamer, Shardul Thakur. But even that tactic failed to yield results, as Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope wore down the Indian bowling at Headingley.
At the time of reporting, England were 141/2 after 35 overs, with Pope and Joe Root at the crease.
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