Ravi Shastri rues lack of support for Jasprit Bumrah in the first India vs England Test

A late collapse in the Indian batting order concluded the opening innings in Headingley sooner than expected. Riding high on the centuries piled up by captain Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, the visitors posted 471 on the board in the first India vs England Test. The time to bowl arrived at the seemingly flat pitch of Leeds, and the focus shifted to India's gem, Jasprit Bumrah. While Bumrah provided little to no chances to complain at the dead surface of the English venue, the Indian bowling attack left much to be desired. Fielding lapses didn't help matters either, as Day 2 concluded with England trailing by 262 runs at the loss of three wickets. As the proceedings culminated, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri took aim at the Indian bowlers.

Jasprit Bumrah turns up as the sole fighter for the visitors in the first India vs England Test at Headingley

While India could not reach the projected score of over 500, a 471-run lead is no less a show of dominance at the hosts. However, the score started looking a bit penetrable as the Indian bowling progressed in the first India vs England match at Headingley. The pitch that looked easy to bat on right on the opening day deteriorated further by the next day, making it exceptionally hard for the bowlers to stay in the contest. However, the conditions rarely faze the enigma that Jasprit Bumrah has turned out to be. Despite getting no support from the surface, the Indian ace provided an early breakthrough as Zak Crawley edged one out to Karun Nair at the slip in the very first over.

However, India's hold on the contest drifted apart swiftly, with the English batters facing no pressure from the other end. Mohammed Siraj joined the flow from the other end, but the pacer could not keep up the momentum created by Bumrah. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope found easy boundaries against the seamer, who didn't seem to toy with his lengths to create an opportunity. Moreover, Prasidh Krishna followed suit, as the attack remained loose barring the spell of Bumrah. The lanky pacer kept hitting the shorter length, the specific ones that Duckett is exceptionally skilled against.

The English pair of Pope and Duckett swiftly approached their respective half-centuries, finally bringing their team into the India vs England contest at Headingley. Despite runs being leaked from the other end, Bumrah managed to keep up his rhythm. After a gruelling wait, the pacer claimed another breakthrough, dismissing Duckett with a cherry of a delivery. With the wicket, Bumrah completed 147 wickets in SENA countries, the most by any Asian bowler in the history of Test cricket.

The innings was further marred by lapses in the field. Ravindra Jadeja dropped two catches, further blowing the pressure created by Bumrah. Siraj came close to drawing his first blood, trapping Pope in an LBW at 34. However, an umpire's call saved Pope, with ambiguity over the ball hitting the stumps, taking away the chance from Siraj. Further ahead in the spell, Siraj managed to trap Root, with the umpire calling it out this time. However, Root reviewed, and the ball appeared to be missing the stumps by a clear margin. Meanwhile, Bumrah created another chance that was buried, as Jaiswal dropped Pope at the slip at 60.

However, it was Bumrah once again to the rescue, dismissing Joe Root at 28 as the seasoned pacer edged one out to Nair at slip. Clearly, it was all Bumrah's doing in the second innings, with the likes of Siraj, Prasidh, and Shardul all looking toothless. The primary pace spearhead extended his threat right till the last over, nearly dismissing Harry Brook in a caught-out attempt. However, Bumrah had overstepped, as Brook breathed a sigh of relief.

Ravi Shastri slams Siraj, Prasidh, and Shardul for not showing up in the attack at Leeds

Now, with England looking in a comfortable spot to overturn the lead set by the Indian batters, Ravi Shastri has slammed the Indian bowlers for not supporting Bumrah from the other end. Shardul Thakur was introduced late in the innings. However, the pacer matched Siraj and Prasidh, proving of no aid to Bumrah, leaking runs at an economy of over 7.00.

The last time Bumrah carried the load all alone, during the Border Gavaskar Trophy, it didn't go well on his body. This time, Jasprit Bumrah is confirmed to play only three matches. With the rest of the attack lacking much-needed sharpness at the flat-looking pitch in England, it's going to be a long series for the visitors.

"I’m really concerned about Bumrah and what his workload will be as the series progresses, because he is the one man who is expected to pick wickets every spell he bowls. I just hope someone at the other end puts their hands up," Shastri said at the end of Day 2.