Jasprit Bumrah is being hailed for his game-changing spell late into the fourth day’s play against South Africa in the ongoing first Test in Centurion. It was the time when he also completed his 100 wickets in Test cricket since making his debut in Rainbow Nation in 2018.
With South Africa defying India’s attack in the final session of the penultimate day, Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in quick succession to tile the game in India’s favour. South Africa is struggling at 94/4 needing a further 211 runs to win the 1st Test.
Jasprit Bumrah Picks 100 Wickets While Playing Overseas
The first of the blow came in the form of Rassie van der Dussen who was cleaned up by Jasprit Bumrah as he shouldered arms only to see the ball seam back sharply to crash onto the stumps. That breakthrough ended Rassie van der Dussen’s 40-run stand with captain Dean Elgar as the two thwarted the threat for a longer period.
Jasprit Bumrah then produced a searing yorker to have nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj clean bowled on 8, leaving the hosts 94/4 in chase of 305. South Africa needs a further 211 runs more to win the Test with a day remaining.
When Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Rassie van der Dussen, he also completed the milestone of having taken 100 wickets away from home. The right-arm pacer has now 105 wickets in Test cricket – 101 of which have come when playing overseas.
Incidentally, the 28-year-old had made his Test debut back in January 2018 in South Africa. The pacer has picked only 4 scalps in Indian conditions averaging 32.25 while his average overseas is a mere 21.89 which includes 6 five-wicket hauls.
Jasprit Bumrah Praised By Vikram Rathour
India batting coach Vikram Rathour was all praise for the Indian pace spearhead after the end of play on Day 4. South African pacers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen took four wickets each to dismiss India for 174, who took a lead of 304 after which Dean Elgar made a gritty 52 before Jasprit Bumrah’s heroics.
Opener Aiden Markram fell early for just one run, with Keegan Petersen (17) and Rassie van der Dussen (11) also departing after offering some resistance.
“That’s the quality of the bowler, he really set him up well,” Rathour said on the dismissal of Van der Dussen. “That’s what you expect from somebody like him. But all of us bowled really well. They were bowling really good lines.”
While India is just six wickets away from registering their maiden Test win in Centurion, the forecast for Day 5 isn’t promising with rain expected to play spoilsport.