Australian batter Steve Smith has lavished praise on Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah after his stunning performance in the first Test in Perth. Bumrah leads the Indian Team in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma. He delivered a bowling masterclass with eight wickets in the match. This included a match-winning five-wicket haul in the first innings. His efforts earned him the Player of the Match award,
“Awkward, Unorthodox, and Brilliant”: Steve Smith on Jasprit Bumrah
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Smith dissected Bumrah’s bowling style. He pointed out that it posed challenges for batters. “From the start of his run-up, it’s just all awkward,” Smith remarked. “The way he runs in is different to pretty much anyone else, then the last bit of his action is different. It takes a few balls to get used to the rhythm of it.”
Smith, who was dismissed for a duck by Bumrah in the first innings, highlighted how the Indian pacer’s unorthodox release point makes him particularly difficult to face. “He releases the ball closer to you than any other bowler. It rushes you more than you expect, and combined with his awkward action, it’s a nightmare to pick his length,” he said.
A Complete Arsenal of Skills
What sets Bumrah apart, according to Smith, is not just his action but his comprehensive skill set. “He swings it both ways, he can nip it off the seam, reverse it when it’s old, bowls a good slower ball, and has a lethal bouncer. He’s the complete package as a bowler,” Smith explained.
The Australian batter’s admiration comes after Bumrah wreaked havoc in Perth. Whether it was using the new ball to great effect or milking reverse swing in the last overs, Bumrah’s performance was a masterclass in pace bowling. Bumrah ended with figures of 5/30 in the first innings and 3/42 in the second innings.
Bumrah Impact: A Leader and a Match-Winner
Bumrah’s brilliance was not just about the wickets he took but also about leading. As India’s stand-in skipper, he marshalled his troops with such intent that the entire bowling unit worked in cohesion to dismantle Australia not once but twice.
India, encouraged by an overwhelming victory in Perth, are to take the momentum into the second Test in Adelaide. Having Bumrah in form and the attacking bowling, which wants some more wickets for a victory, would look at one more display of superiority against the Australians.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram
