Bumrah Weaves His Magic Once More at the MCG
10 days ago | 5 Views
Melbourne: Every time Jasprit Bumrah delivers a ball, he compels viewers to reconsider their notions of the conventional fast bowler. His run-up is unconventional, his bowling action appears unrepeatable at first glance, and he does not fit the mould of a typical athletic figure. Yet, with the ball in hand, he manages to transcend logic, the conditions of the pitch, and even the capabilities of the batters.
This phenomenon has been evident throughout the series. As he charges in, the crowd erupts, and the Australian players visibly tremble. This spectacle never loses its charm; it remains perpetually captivating. On Sunday, he once again mesmerized the audience at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The initial spell was impressive, with every delivery landing in the right channel, consistently challenging the batters. It was perplexing how Australia managed to avoid losing wickets, as Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas often found themselves playing and missing rather than making contact with the ball.
Konstas, in particular, set aside his more extravagant shots. He appeared unsettled, clearly feeling the immense pressure exerted by one of the world's premier fast bowlers. Although the 19-year-old has confidence in his abilities, he faced a determined Bumrah, who was still stinging from his first spell (6-2-38-0) in the opening innings.
After tormenting the young player for a time, Bumrah delivered a ball that angled back in off a good length, sneaking through the gap between bat and pad to shatter the middle stump. The drama continued when Virat Kohli was dismissed in the first innings; Konstas urged the crowd to cheer, a gesture that Bumrah did not overlook, celebrating his wicket in a similar fashion.
Few batters in international cricket can claim dominance over Bumrah, and this was his way of asserting his authority over Konstas. The first round went to Konstas, but the second round was undoubtedly claimed by Bumrah.
Following this, Australia managed to stabilize their innings, reaching 80 for two shortly after lunch. Mohammed Siraj then provided India with a breakthrough by enticing Steve Smith (13) to chase a wide, full delivery, which wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant expertly caught. Birthday boy Travis Head, recognized as Australia's standout batter in the series, was next to the crease, and given his batting style, if...
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