Jasprit Bumrah picked up a five-wicket haul in the second innings of the first Test against England to give India a real chance of a victory. Bumrah picked up five wickets for 64 as England were bowled out for 303 in their second innings.
India had a lead of 95 runs in the first innings after England bowled them out for 278 runs. When England began their second innings, they looked set for a big total but the hosts failed to capitalise on the fine century knock by skipper Joe Root, who made 109 runs in 172 deliveries. Aside from Root, no other English batsman was able to reach even a fifty mark.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan said that Root’s century was one of the great innings of all time. He told BBC, “We have witnessed one of the great innings of all time. We have seen Root play plenty of magnificent innings but that was just pure.
“He would never admit it but he does carry this batting line-up.
“It was a wonderful day of Test cricket. From where England were two days ago to where they are now, they have a glimmer of hope of winning because of their captain.”
India need to score 209 runs to win the first Test one day’s play remaining. At the end of the fourth day’s play, India were 52-1 with Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara batting at 12 each.
Speaking about a potential Indian victory in the first Test, Bumrah said after the match, “We don’t want to look too far ahead though we’ve got a good start. Now we will take session by session tomorrow (Sunday).”
Speaking about his devastating bowling spell, Bumrah said, “I am just trying to be in the present and enjoy my game.”
The Indian pacer said that he had not made too many changes in his bowling even though he was constantly trying to improve his game.
Scores in brief:
England 183 (Root 64; Bumrah 4-46) & 303 (Root 109, Bumrah 5-64)
India 278 (Rahul 84, Robinson 5-85) & 52-1
India need a further 157 runs to win