Jasprit Bumrah was absolutely unplayable at Eden Gardens during the first Test. He ripped through South Africa’s batting like a hot knife through butter. Watching him bowl makes you realize why everyone fears facing him.
Bumrah Breaks Dangerous Opening Partnership
South Africa started pretty well actually against India’s bowlers early on. Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram looked comfortable out there batting together. They put on 50 runs in less than 10 overs easily.
Then Bumrah decided enough was enough for these two batsmen. He charged in and unleashed a rocket at over 140 km/h. The ball smashed Rickelton’s stumps into pieces, sending them flying everywhere.
Rickelton had made just 23 runs before heading back dejected. That single wicket flipped the entire game around for India straightaway.
Double Strike From Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah wasn’t satisfied with just one wicket from South Africa though. His very first ball of the next over cleaned up Aiden Markram. Two big wickets gone in barely three overs thanks to one man.
Markram looked clueless against Bumrah’s bowling attack right from the start. South African batsmen were sweating bullets after losing both openers so quickly. Bumrah made them look like club cricketers out there honestly.
That weird action of his confuses batsmen every single time somehow. Even top international players struggle to read his deliveries coming at them.
Indian Spinners Join the Party
Kuldeep Yadav grabbed a wicket right after Bumrah’s double blow landed. He spun one sharply past Temba Bavuma’s bat catching the captain off guard. The South African skipper had zero clue which way that ball turned.
India’s bowling mix worked perfectly for these Eden Gardens conditions today. Bumrah attacked with pace from one end while spinners worked their magic. Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja all bowled nicely.
South African batsmen couldn’t settle down against this relentless bowling attack. Bumrah’s early damage put India firmly in control from the start.
