BOOM – Jasprit Bumrah breaks the back of SA batters at Eden Gardens
Tongues have been wagging, Jasprit Bumrah is past prime. Some said, his shelf-life is over and he will never be the same bowler again. Well, these comments, as uncharitable as ever, never mattered to the tall and gangling fast bowler. On a dry surface at the Eden Gardens on Friday, Bumrah showed how he can spice things up. This was a rock-and-roll version of Boom. There was nothing much in the surface for him, yet India’s fast bowler who psyches out batters with his skill and cunning came out smoking.
When one looked at the India team sheet in the morning, the presence of four spinners suggested the tweakers would have a big say. No, Bumrah was not going to let go of a chance, after the South Africans had won the toss and decided to bat. Then came the master class from Bumrah, who turns 32 in just over a fortnight. There was chatter and a banter as well in between, when Bumrah and the cheeky Rishabh Pant, returning to the side after an injury break meant the stump mic would be throwing up interesting conversation. Sure enough, one leg before the wicket appeal off Temba Bavuma had some interesting conversation coming up!
Where Bumrah showed he was not scared of shouldering the load was in the willingness to attack the batters. For sure, the man whose pace used to be scorching in the past also has immense variety where he uses the seam intelligently. This man, feared as the all-format fast bowlers has been accused by even former cricketers as preserving himself. After all, when Bumrah sustained a back injury in the BGT Series in Australia at the start of the year, he was looking ‘finished’ in the fifth Test. A long absence from cricket was worrying, though Bumrah’s return during the 2025 edition of the IPL for Mumbai Indians was satisfying.
During the England tour, Bumrah had decided he was going to play only a maximum of three Tests out of five. Why? Because he had to ensure workload management was in order, for he had over-bowled in Australia. Some said, he was being selfish and not bowling flat out for India. But then, if Indian cricketers started worrying about criticism on social media, half of them would have retired!
There is a tacit understanding between Bumrah and the team management, which comprises coach Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar, chairman of the selection committee and a few more. That is why the feared smiling assassin did not play both the white ball formats during the recent tour of Australia. It made sense, as he was in good form during the T20 series.
Fresh for the two Tests against South Africa, Jasprit Bumrah was looking strong and energetic. The way he attacked the batters and the wicket, not giving them room or width was defining. And if he has been described as unplayable even on pitches which are bone dry, Bumrah is ready to tease and torment. To bowl 14 overs, five of which were maiden, conceded just 27 runs and grab five wickets is talk of the town. Not once was there a hint, his fitness is not a 100 per cent.
Just a day back, South African legend Faf du Plessis had said in Mumbai, he hopes not to see Bumrah play in the SA T20 league. Had Bumrah heard him and wanted the red cherry to hassle the batters, one does not know. The way Boom got the wickets on Friday was fascinating. Be sure, this man is going to be ready to serve Indian cricket for a few more years, notably in 2026 when India hosts the ICC T20 World Cup.
