Former India player Aakash Chopra has lauded Jasprit Bumrah for delivering a potent spell on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa. The unconventional seamer skillfully set up the batters before dismissing them, registering figures of 5/27 in 14 overs as India bowled South Africa out for 159 in their first innings in Kolkata on Friday, November 14.

The hosts ended the day at 37/1 in their first innings, with KL Rahul (13*) and Washington Sundar (6*) remaining unbeaten.

During a discussion on Star Sports, Chopra was asked about Bumrah bowling an extended first spell and picking up a wicket only in his sixth and seventh overs. He responded,

“Honestly speaking, in Test cricket, in any case, you don’t get wickets as soon as you roll your arm over. You need to bowl long spells, and you were bowling at the right spots. You constantly cook a wicket, and that’s why Test cricket is so interesting. You need to make gourmet biryani in an era of two-minute noodles.”

The former India opener also highlighted Bumrah’s unpredictability, which makes him a unique bowler.

“Anil Kumble said a very good thing. You hear many times that a bowler shouldn’t be predictable in T20Is and ODIs. In Test cricket, it’s said that you need to be predictable. Bumrah is not that. That’s why he is different from everyone. He bowls full and short with the new and old balls, and changes the angles. He is not predictable at all. There is indeed no one like Jassi,” Chopra elaborated.

Jasprit Bumrah did not pick up a wicket in his first five overs before castling Ryan Rickelton (23) with the third ball of his sixth over. He then dismissed Aiden Markram (31) caught by Rishabh Pant with the first ball of his next over, removing both openers after they had stitched together a 57-run partnership.

When asked about Bumrah having the best average among bowlers with more than 200 Test wickets, Chopra said,

“Indian pacers don’t pick up so many wickets. Kapil Dev took 227 innings to reach 23 five-wicket hauls. Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma, one played 90 Tests and the other played 100, have 11 five-wicket hauls apiece. He (Bumrah) has reached 16 five-wicket hauls in 96 innings only. He hasn’t bowled in 100 innings and he has reached the second spot.”

The cricketer-turned-commentator also pointed out that Bumrah has taken so many five-wicket hauls despite sharing the bowling attack with two potent spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, on spin-friendly Indian pitches.

“The speed with which he is taking five-wicket hauls on Indian pitches, it seems like it’s a misnomer that fast bowlers have difficulties in India. Let’s also not forget that he used to have Ashwin and Jadeja along with him. They used to take the bulk of the wickets. We have seen Ashwin picking up wickets with the new ball. Considering that, Jasprit Bumrah doing this job is absolutely incredible,” Chopra observed.

To conclude, Aakash Chopra highlighted that longevity in a career is one of the key yardsticks for greatness. He noted that it is the only box Jasprit Bumrah still needs to tick; apart from that, he is already the GOAT (Greatest of All Time).
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