Aakash Chopra has heaped lavish praise on Jasprit Bumrah following the Indian spearhead’s match-turning five-wicket haul on Day 3 of the first Test against England at Headingley. Terming him "absolutely priceless" and comparing his consistency to that of a "fixed deposit", Chopra said Bumrah’s efforts deserved not just acclaim but national honours, such was the gulf between him and the rest of India’s bowling attack.
Bumrah’s five-wicket haul was the only positive for India on a day when they found themselves under massive pressure. Despite little assistance from the conditions or his bowling partners, Bumrah broke the back of England’s batting. It was his 14th five-for in Test cricket and he yet again showed why he remains India’s most dependable fast-bowling weapon overseas.
Having dismissed Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Joe Root on Day 2, Jasprit Bumrah returned to dismantle England’s lower-order. His final figures of 5 for 83 looked all the more better in an innings where the rest of India’s attack looked pedestrian. While India managed to take a slender lead of just six runs, they could have been trailing had Bumrah not intervened.
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"Give him the Bharat Ratna" - Aakash Chopra’s Ode to Jasprit Bumrah
Chopra, speaking on his YouTube channel, praised Bumrah for his game-changing contribution and the value that he brings to the Indian team. He even demanded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in India, for Bumrah. Sachin Tendulkar is the only sportsperson to the conferred with the Bharat Ratna.
"Jasprit Bumrah has taken one more five-wicket haul. Give him the Bharat Ratna because he is absolutely priceless. The guy is different. If people had taken catches and helped him a little more, he might have taken, not five, but eight wickets, and would have given a lead of 160 runs instead of six," Chopra said as quoted on his YouTube channel.
He further drew attention to the lack of support around Bumrah and said that if the other bowlers do not perform, the veteran only be able to play three matches in the series.
"There is no one like Bumrah, but Jassi was alone. Shardul Thakur didn't bowl much. Prasidh Krishna looked slightly undercooked. Mohammed Siraj looked tired towards the end. If you have the question in your mind as to how many matches Jasprit will be able to play, if he has to bowl so much, he will be able to play three matches only," he added.
Describing him as a player worthy of poetic tributes, Chopra said:
"An ode to Jasprit Bumrah should be written, such a phenomenal player that he is. He is like a fixed deposit. Whenever you need something, and give him the ball, he picks up a wicket. He is absolutely sensational."
Bumrah became the Asian bowler with most Test wickets in SENA countries, leaving behind Wasim Akram. Capping off his admiration with a comparison to a legend of the game, Chopra stated,
"He has taken the most wickets by an Asian bowler in SENA countries. Wasim Akram is at No. 2. Wasim bhai took fewer innings than Bumrah, so you feel Wasim bhai might have taken them quicker, but that's not the case. Wasim Akram bowled 1200 more balls to reach there. This guy is just unreal. He is Superman without a cape."
India’s Batters Face Crucial Test on Day 4
At stumps on Day 3, the match remained delicately poised. India with just a six-run first-innings lead, thanks to Bumrah’s brilliance, found themselves under pressure once again with the bat. England’s bowlers, led by Ben Stokes and Brydon Carse, struck twice, removing both Sai Sudharsan and Yashasvi Jaiswal respectively.
At close of play, India were 90/2, holding a 96-run lead. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill finished the day unbeaten. Both are aware of the challenge that awaits.
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