"Jasprit Bumrah will throw everything.."- Joe Root

England middle-order batter Joe Root feels that his competition and rivalry with senior Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah is just getting started in the ongoing 5-match Test series. Root expressed his excitement as well as disappointment after he got out in the 3rd innings at Hyderabad for just 2 runs, thanks to Bumrah’s sensational reverse swinging spell on day 3.

Yesterday when the visitors walked out to bat after India posted 436 as their 1st innings total, openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley gave England the perfect start they required. The duo was looking even more formidable against India’s spin battery and they were able to amass 45 runs by the 10th over before Crawley departed for 31 off 33 by Ravichandran Aswhin.

Then Duckett and number 3 Ollie Pope steadied England’s ship in the middle by confidently playing their shots against Ashwin, Jadeja, and Axar Patel. Both of the batters were batting exceptionally well and used sweeps as well as reverse sweeps to their aid and at one point it looked like the spinners were having zero impact against them until Jasprit Bumrah arrived.

Bumrah in his first over of the spell had almost got the wicket of Duckett with an LBW which the umpire signaled was not out and skipper Rohit Sharma refused to take the referral after consulting with wicket-keeper KS Bharat. Then an over later, Jasprit Bumrah was on target again and this time he rocked the off-stump with a brilliant reverse swinging delivery to get the wicket of Duckett for 47.

“I Was Disappointed To Not Get Through It”, Joe Root Opines On Jasprit Bumrah’s Sensational Spell

It was at that point when Joe Root walked out to bat at number 4, hoping that he could make this opportunity count especially after losing his wicket by playing a mistimed sweep shot. He was in front of the man-in-form, Jasprit Bumrah who was constantly testing the English batters with reverse swing.

In what was Joe Root’s 6th ball of the 3rd innings, Bumrah darted a fantastic inside reverse swinger which directly struck the pads. The umpire signaled out without taking much time while Joe Root went for the DRS right away as he was confident that the ball took his edge before hitting the pads.

However, there was not a single spike in the snicko meter and Root had to walk off after a short-lived innings. After stumps were called for day 3, Joe Root expressed his frustration for not being able to stick to the crease but also hailed the skills of Bumrah.

“One of my frustrations was to not still be there at the back end of it, but he’s a quality bowler with a huge amount of skill and pace. It’s what you’d expect from a Test match, and a big moment in the game. I was disappointed not to get through it. You know that for four or five overs he will charge in and throw everything at us.” Root said.

The right-hand batter also threw a jab towards Bumrah, stating that they are now in even terms as it was Root who claimed Bumrah in India’s 1st innings.

“So, 1-0 to him although actually 1-1 actually as I got him out earlier. I’m sure that this battle will continue throughout the series. – Root concluded.