England vs India 2021: David Gower Picks Jasprit Bumrah As Best Bowler In The Series Ahead Of James Anderson

English cricket commentator David Gower said that Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah‘s spell along with the support of spinner Ravindra Jadeja on the final day of the Oval Test was the main difference for India.

India were bowled out for 191 on day 1 and England took a lead of 99 runs in the first innings but the visitors bounced back with a heavy lead of 366 to bowl England out for 210 on the final day to win the fourth Test by 157 runs and took a 2-1 lead in the series.

I think I am just going to go with Jasprit Bumrah: David Gower

When Gower was asked who was the best bowler amongst Bumrah and England new-ball bowlers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in the series, the former England cricketer went with the Indian pacer.

“Those are the ones in contention (Bumrah, Robinson, Anderson). Everyone else had their ups and downs but they were the three who consistently bowled well. It’s a tricky choice to have to make. I would love to say Jimmy because he proved himself again at that certain age – he is approaching 40 – there is still an ability, the fitness that makes him a unique animal. But I think I am just going to go with Bumrah,” Gower told Cricket.com.

“For instance, that final day at The Oval, in the context of where we are now… England could have batted out. It could have been 1-1, but the difference was that Jadeja bowled into the rough and Bumrah produced just the perfect spell. The two of them just cruised through that middle and lower order as they did on the final day was spectacular,” Gower added.

I’m just going to shade in and give it to Jasprit Bumrah: David Gower

At the end of Day 4, Rory Burns and Haseeb Hameed ensured England didn’t lose any wicket and the duo added 77 runs. Both of them continued their form in the first session of the final day, it was Shardul Thakur who broke the jinx and Bumrah destroyed the middle-order by getting the wickets of Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow in quick succession.

Jadeja cleaned the stumps of Hameed before getting his counterpart Moeen Ali later in the day as Umesh Yadav saw off the tail-enders.

“What a way to win a Test match from a lowly start on Day 1. I’m just thinking that spells like that one where you end up winning games, that’s important. So, I’m just going to shade in and give it to Bumrah,” Gower said. 

The fifth Test between England and India was cancelled after COVID-19 case was detected in the Indian camp on the eve of the match day. The fate of the series is yet to be decided by the cricket boards of the two countries.

Also Read: “Hats Off To Him”:Kapil Dev Reacts To Jasprit Bumrah Breaking His Record Of Fastest Indian Pacer To 100 Test Wickets