Surprised To See Jasprit Bumrah Not Bowling Full On Day Three Of The WTC Final: VVS Laxman

Former Indian middle-order batsman VVS Laxman has opened up on Jasprit Bumrah’s reluctance to bowl full on day three of the ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand in Southampton. Jasprit Bumrah was one of the three pacers chosen by India alongside Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami for the big flash. Hence, VVS Laxman was surprised to see the right-arm seamer bowling short for the most part.

While New Zealand had nudged slightly ahead by the close of day three, India struck late on day three to have some respite. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ishant Sharma were the only ones who ended up with a wicket each. However, Jasprit Bumrah not only went wicketless, but he also proved to the most expensive bowler. Bumrah had figures of 11-3-34-0.

India consistently bowled short and failed to make full use of the overcast conditions in Southampton. They needed to do the same after Kyle Jamieson’s fifer restricted India to 217, with no batsmen reaching fifty. Nevertheless, New Zealand also had a fair share of their luck as plenty of leading edges landed above the fielders or in no man’s land. New Zealand, spearheaded by Devon Conway’s fifty, reached 101-2 on day three.

You want to create that chance by getting that outside edge: VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman highlighted that bowlers need to bowl full to be successful in England as they have to encourage the batsmen to drive through the covers to find the outside edge. The 134-Test veteran revealed that the bowlers can also create a gap between the bat and pad by provoking the Kiwi batsmen to hit away from the body.

“I was surprised that Bumrah was not able to change the length which is required to be effective in English conditions. You want the batsmen to drive the ball through the covers in these conditions. You want to create that chance by getting that outside edge. Also, if you are making them hit the ball away from their body which majority of the New Zealand batsmen can do because they don’t take a long strike when playing front foot drives. That when you create that pad and pad gap,” Laxman told on Star Sports.

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