Former South Africa pacer Fanie de Villiers believes that South Africa batters learned their lessons from the past to work Bumrah out. Notable that Jasprit Bumrah picked only one wicket in the second test in form of Keshav Maharaj in the first innings and he went wicketless in the second innings as the hosts chased down the target of 240 to level the series by 1-1 with one test to go.
Notable that in the last South Africa tour 2018, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a match-winning spell of 5/54 at Johannesburg to script a 63-run win. Though the fortunes turned around dramatically this time around as the fast bowler failed to make the same impression as in his debut series.
Jasprit Bumrah picked only one wicket in the second Test at Johannesburg
Former South Africa pacer Fanie de Villers feels that Jasprit Bumrah is still bowling well but the Proteas batters worked them out after learning the hard lessons from the past. However, de Villiers advised him to make batters play more. Jasprit Bumrah picked 5 wickets in the first match of the series despite missing most part of the first innings as he twisted his ankle.
“I don’t think it is a question of him lacking ability or he bowled badly. I think South Africa has worked him out. Since he has been India’s most important bowler, lots of team discussion has gone on how to tackle and survive Bumrah. I think South Africa has learned their lessons from the first Test,” he told The Indian Express.
“This is where he lacked in the second Test as South African batters were leaving so many deliveries from him. Even Elgar played him better than before, although he got hit a couple of times,” he added.
He also decoded the success mantra in the rainbow nation as he advised the bowlers to pitch it up to extract more out of the surface. He also gave an example of former South Africa pacer Vernon Philander who was terrific with his seam movement both ways.
“In South Africa, fuller deliveries have always been more successful. The bowler, who has got the ability to bowl both inswinger and outswinger, will be more effective. That’s the reason why Vernon Philander enjoyed his greatest successes at home and especially at the Newlands,” he said.
The third and final Test will be played at the Newlands starting on January 11.
Also read “I’d liken Shardul Thakur To Someone Like Vernon Philander”-JP Duminy