He has picked up over 100 wickets in Test cricket but Sunday marked the first time Jasprit Bumrah had picked up five in an innings on home soil. On a wicket that was assisting spinners, Bumrah worked his magic to finish with figures of five for 25 as India turned the screw on visitors Sri Lanka in the pink-ball game in Bengaluru.
Sri Lanka on the second day resumed at 86 for six and India required less than 30 minutes to wrap their innings for a hefty 143-run lead. Bumrah added two more to his first day's tally of three wickets as he sent back overnight batters Lasith Embuldeniya for one and Niroshan Dickwella for 21. It was Bumrah's eighth five-wicket haul in 29 Tests.
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Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik was effusive in his praise for Bumrah, who said the pacer is destined for greatness at the international arena. Karthik, who has shared the dressing room with Bumrah, bracketed him in the category of "special" players and underlined how former skipper Virat Kohli would turn around to the speedster whenever he needed a wicket.
"I think he's a special player. There is no doubt that Jasprit Bumrah is on the road to greatness. Eight fifers put him on the elite list comprising Kapil Dev. What makes him special? Obviously his awkward action, his point of release and his ability to swing the ball both ways. You're playing on a turning wicket when the opponent fast bowlers aren't able to even get the ball to reach the wicketkeeper. Here comes a fast bowler who gets a fifer in his 10 overs," Karthik told Cricbuzz.
{{/usCountry}}"I think he's a special player. There is no doubt that Jasprit Bumrah is on the road to greatness. Eight fifers put him on the elite list comprising Kapil Dev. What makes him special? Obviously his awkward action, his point of release and his ability to swing the ball both ways. You're playing on a turning wicket when the opponent fast bowlers aren't able to even get the ball to reach the wicketkeeper. Here comes a fast bowler who gets a fifer in his 10 overs," Karthik told Cricbuzz.
{{/usCountry}}"It really shows his skills. He's done well in West Indies. He was unplayable in South Africa. The question never arises if he's a good bowler in all conditions. He's a top-quality bowler. If you notice Virat Kohli's captaincy, he would turn around to Bumrah, who was ready to have a go," he further added.
India currently are in firm control of the Test with the tourists being 102 for three while chasing a daunting 447 for victory. Bumrah in the final minutes of the second day's play trapped Lahiru Thirimanne lbw for nought to take his wickets tally to six in the match.
Earlier, India declared their second innings on 303 for 9 in the final session after Iyer made 67 and Pant smashed a 28-ball 50 -- a Test record for an Indian batter when it comes to scoring the fastest fifty.