Jasprit Bumrah delivered a standout performance in the first innings of the opening Test between England and India at Headingley, Leeds, claiming a five-wicket haul. Despite his efforts, India faced criticism for their overall performance, particularly in the field. Numerous missed catches across both innings drew heavy backlash, especially as England chased down a steep target of 371 runs on the final day, losing just five wickets in the process.
While bowlers like Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj struggled to contain the English batters, Bumrah remained the lone bright spot in India’s bowling attack. His disciplined and threatening spells kept the visitors in the contest during the early stages.
Speaking after the match, England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith—who was part of the closing partnership with Joe Root—admitted that facing Bumrah was a daunting challenge, particularly on Day Five when the pressure was high.
“I Didn’t Expect Him to Bowl”: Jamie Smith on Facing Jasprit Bumrah on Day 5
On the final day of the Test, Indian captain Shubman Gill handed the ball to Jasprit Bumrah, hoping his ace pacer could conjure some magic. The move caught Jamie Smith slightly off guard, prompting him to go after Ravindra Jadeja, who was operating from the other end.
“At that point, the target wasn’t far off, so I didn’t really expect Bumrah to come on with the new ball,” Smith told ESPNcricinfo. “But in cricket, you can never be certain. One or two good deliveries and suddenly you’re eight down, the pressure swings back.”
Jasprit Bumrah: Smith acknowledged the risk but saw an opportunity.
“It was important to finish things off and not let the game drag. I knew the new ball was around the corner, and it might’ve looked like I was exposing Chris Woakes at No. 8. But if I’d hit a couple more sixes in that over, we would’ve carried momentum into the new ball. It’s always a balance — yes, the new ball can bring wickets, but it can also help with scoring. So, there was some calculated thinking behind it.”
Before Jasprit Bumrah could have any real impact, Smith launched a few towering hits off Jadeja to wrap up the chase and seal the match for England.
Despite being denied a chance to turn the game around, Bumrah’s record remains extraordinary. With over 150 wickets in Test cricket, he leads the pack among bowlers from SENA countries, surpassing legends like Wasim Akram and Chaminda Vaas.
In 10 Test appearances in England alone, Jasprit Bumrah has claimed 42 wickets at an average of 26.47, including a best of 5/64 — underlining his brilliance in challenging conditions.
