KL Rahul came in defence of pacer Jasprit Bumrah after a reporter, at the post-match press conference, felt that the Indian pacer finally returned back to form. Indian opener KL Rahul was taken aback by a reporter’s question, at the post-match press conference, regarding Jasprit Bumrah’s form.
After the first Test between India and England, at Trent Bridge, Nottingham ended in a draw — with no play being possible on Day 5 due to rain — KL Rahul attended India’s post-match press meet and was puzzled when a reporter opined that Jasprit Bumrah finally came back to form.
KL Rahul Defends Jasprit Bumrah Saying He Has Been A Match Winner For India
Jasprit Bumrah ended the five-match Test series opener with an impressive performance, returning with a nine-wicket haul, including a five-wicket haul in England’s second essay.
The 27-year-old had not been at his usual best in the inaugural WTC final (returning wicketless), between India and New Zealand, and ended the first leg of IPL 2021 with sub-par performance, as per his standards, claiming 6 wickets in 7 games at 32. In addition, Jasprit Bumrah ended his ODI run in 2020 with only 3 wickets.
However, KL Rahul came in defense of India’s premier pacer and told at the press conference, “Sir, I don’t know why you are saying that (Jasprit) Bumrah has made a comeback. Every time, in every game, in every condition he has proved himself and he is our number one bowler. We are happy that he is doing what he is (has) been doing since he started playing Test cricket. Wherever he has played, he has been a match-winner for us. We are happy that he has done once again, what he does best.”
While Jasprit Bumrah has done decently, in patches, since 2020, he looked at his very best after a long time during the just-concluded first Test between India and England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. He troubled the English batters with his extra pace, got the ball to move around, and bowled the right lengths to help India dismiss England twice in the series opener.
Rain Denies India Or England Victory
Virat Kohli-led India however, couldn’t go 1-0 up as Day 5 of the series opener got washed out. India needed 157 more runs, in pursuit of 209, whereas Joe Root-led England also had a chance to win, requiring 9 more wickets. The second Test starts on August 12 (Thursday) at Lord’s.
On Day 4, England skipper Joe Root led from the front with a superb counter-attacking hundred but Jasprit Bumrah’s five-wicket haul on the fourth day made India favourites to chase down the tricky target. It was Joe Root’s 21st Test hundred — a masterful 109 off 172 balls, that saw England put up a much-improved batting show, scoring 303 in 85.5 overs.
In the time left during the penultimate hour, India scored 52 for one with Stuart Broad dismissing KL Rahul (26 off 38 balls) with a beauty. Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara were unbeaten on 12 each. However, persistent rain dashed all hopes of a result on Sunday. India posted 278 runs in the first innings in response to England’s 183, taking a lead of 95 runs.
The visitors got off to a cautious start in the 2nd essay but eventually lost KL Rahul as Stuart Broad bowled an absolute peach of a delivery to dismiss the Indian batsman. KL Rahul had top-scored for India in the 1st innings, scoring 84.