Home
As India gears up for their five-match Test series against England, Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah reminisced about his on-field rivalry with England's veteran bowler James Anderson. This encounter, dating back to the 2021 Lord's Test, has become a significant part of their buildup for the forthcoming series.
The 30-year-old Bumrah reflected on a particularly intense over he bowled to Anderson in the 2021 England series. The over was notable for its aggression, including four no-balls and a series of bouncers that struck Anderson on the helmet, ribcage, and hand. This led to an exchange of words between the two cricketers, with Bumrah revealing that he had approached Anderson to check on his well-being, only to receive a sharp response. Bumrah highlighted this incident as a turning point that fueled competitive fire among the Indian players, contributing to their 151-run victory in that Test.
"I was tired, I thought the last wicket was there, I tried to push to bowl fast. I went up to him (mid-over), asked 'Are you OK?' and didn't get a good response. So that brought back some young memories; trying to be the nice guy and it not being taken well. And it triggered the whole team," Bumrah said in an interview with The Guardian.
"It was red mist but it was channelled. Fighting and playing is second nature to us; controlling that is self-taught," the Indian pacer added.
Bumrah also expressed admiration for Anderson’s enduring career with the England Test team. He credited Anderson as an inspiration during his early cricketing years, applauding the English pacer's longevity and resilience in the sport.
"A lot of credit to (Anderson), I can genuinely say I've been watching him since I was a child. It's credit to him (he is still playing at 41), a testament to his hunger and passion. It's one thing having helpful conditions but to keep doing all that preparation. Skill, technique can be learned, but the will to keep going, that's a big big tick for me," Bumrah said.
Both Bumrah and Anderson have been pivotal in their respective teams’ Test cricket successes, as evidenced by their impressive bowling records. As they prepare to face off in the upcoming Test series, starting on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, their past encounters add an intriguing subplot to the competition.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
BIG BREAKING: Indian star batter with T20I strike rate of 176.23 included in Indian squad, ready to take red-ball cricket by storm
BCCI Annual Awards Ceremony 2024 Live Streaming: When, where and how to watch the entire event? Check details here
