NEW DELHI: India pacer Jasprit Bumrah credited the learnings from his previous tour of England for helping him exploit the conditions effectively, leading to a five-wicket haul on Day 2 of the third Test at Lord’s. Bumrah was in top form during the second day’s play, delivering crucial breakthroughs in the morning session. He dismissed Ben Stokes (44), Joe Root (104), and Chris Woakes (0), providing India with early momentum. He later removed Brydon Carse, who had played a vital knock, and Jofra Archer to complete his five-for and etch his name on the prestigious Lord’s Honours Board.Bumrah’s 5 for 74 helped India bowl England out for 387 on Day 2.With the series level at 1-1 and India aiming to take a 2-1 lead, Bumrah spoke to his wife and presenter Sanjana Ganesan ahead of Day 3 at Lord’s, sharing his thoughts on making it to the Honours Board.
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“When you start playing Test cricket, you see the atmosphere and you feel like you want to be a part of it and that (milestone) will always stay on the Honours Board now. Really happy with my rhythm, I don’t want to chase anything. I’m in a very good head space, it gives me a good balance in sport and in life,” Bumrah said on the Sony Sports Network.Speaking about the key dismissal of Joe Root, he added:“Whenever you get him (Root) out, gives you a lot of confidence and puts pressure on the opposition as well. He is a world class player. The ball is a little different from the last series I played here, obviously I understand dry conditions and hot summer as well. The ball used to stay harder for long, that doesn’t happen anymore and that is something I cannot change and don’t have the power to.”Reflecting on his career and mindset, Bumrah said:“I don’t really think about media and stuff, I am very proud of my Test career. I worked really hard and really happy with the journey. There have been a few changes (since the start of Test career), I have a lot of grey hair, married and I have a young son as well. I always keep on working on my game, the hunger is there and I always keep challenging myself.“You only have one career and after your career, you will always have time to relax, I always motivate myself like that. During the injury phase he (Archer) messaged me and we had a lot of converstaions, I am really happy that he has gotten back to Test cricket, a format that he loves.”With this performance, Bumrah surpassed Kapil Dev’s record for the most five-wicket hauls in away Tests by an Indian bowler. Kapil had 12 five-fers in 66 overseas Tests, while Bumrah now leads with 13. Anil Kumble is third with 10 in 69 away Tests.In his 47-Test career, Bumrah has taken 215 wickets at an average of 19.49, with best figures of 6/27 and 15 five-wicket hauls. Across all formats, he has played 206 matches and claimed 453 wickets at an average of 20.48, including 17 five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/19.
