ENG vs IND: Whenever Jasprit Bumrah's name is mentioned, the opposition batsmen get worried. His sharp yorkers in limited overs and his ability to bowl exceptionally long spells in Test cricket make him one of the most special bowlers of this era. Bumrah took 32 wickets in nine innings in the recent Test series in Australia and became the first bowler in history to have 200 Test wickets and an average below 20. His action is unique; the run-up is short, but both speed and accuracy are unparalleled. Whether the pitch is suitable for fast bowlers or flat, Bumrah finds a way to make an impact there.
ENG vs IND: What Ben Stokes said about Jasprit Bumrah
What England captain Ben Stokes said about Bumrah ahead of the Test series against India is intriguing. He obviously recognized that Bumrah is an excellent bowler and his presence in any team can make a difference. However, the English Test captain also said that he is not afraid of anything. Stokes expressed the view that at the international level, you always face high-level players, and Bumrah also falls in the same category.
According to him, one player cannot win a series alone. Stokes stressed that all 11 players of both teams are important, and it is not right to focus only on one bowler. There is confidence in this statement, but somewhere it also reflects that England is aware of Bumrah and is not taking him lightly. This reaction directly reflects Bumrah's impact, even though Stokes has said 'no fear' on the surface.
“No fear. In international cricket, you come up against quality opposition all the time. We know his class and what he brings to any team he plays for, but in terms of fear, definitely not. I don’t think one bowler alone is going to win the series for either team. All 11 [players] have to stand up. I don’t think there is just one person in either team holding the key to success,” Stokes said.
Opinion:
I believe that Stokes' comment can also be a part of the strategy. Bumrah is such a bowler whose effect is not only seen in the wickets but also on the mindset of the batsmen. He does not let the batsman play; he forces them to think. The fast bowler's grip on length, along with seam movement and variation in the slow ball, can make him even more dangerous in England's conditions.
In this series, the 31-year-old will make excellent use of swing and seam, especially with the Duke ball. If he finds rhythm in the first Test itself, then there will be pressure on England's batting lineup. The technique of batsmen like Joe Root, Stokes, and Brook will be put to a real test. According to me, Bumrah can take more than 20 wickets in this series and will play a match-winning role in at least two Tests. India now have a bowler who can change the course of the match even on foreign soil, and Bumrah's presence can prove to be a permanent headache for England.
