Trisha Ghosal in London
Even from the hallowed Lord’s press box, a shiver ran down the spine as Jasprit Bumrah, in his much-anticipated return to the Indian playing XI, delivered a ball that defied the very nature of this placid track. Harry Brook, a batsman in ominous form, was simply left bewildered, his stumps rattled by a delivery that seemed to curve late and kiss the top of off stump. It was a peach – a truly unplayable ball on a pitch that offered little encouragement for the pacers – and a stark reminder of why Bumrah is simply indispensable to this Indian side.
His absence in the victorious second Test against England might have led some to question his absolute necessity, with Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep stepping up admirably. And indeed, they bowled with heart and skill at Edgbaston to secure a dominant win. Yet, here at Lord’s, watching from my privileged perch, the difference Bumrah brings was palpable from his very first over. His control, his subtle variations, and that uncanny ability to extract something from even the most unresponsive surfaces are unmatched.
The dismissal of Brook wasn’t just a wicket; it was a statement. On a day where Joe Root looked to anchor England’s innings with characteristic composure, and other Indian bowlers toiled for breakthroughs, Bumrah provided that moment of magic. It demonstrated his genius – the capacity to conjure a wicket out of nothing, to create doubt in the minds of the best batsmen, even when the conditions are stacked against the quicks.
While the pitch at Lord’s offered a fairly good batting surface, Bumrah’s precision and deceptive pace meant he was consistently asking questions. He might not have bowled a spell of relentless aggression in terms of pure pace, but his craft was on full display – the probing lengths, the subtle seam movement, and the occasional unplayable delivery like the one that sent Brook packing. What was particularly striking was his leadership from mid-off. On numerous occasions, he engaged with the other pacers, offering insights, and even setting parts of the field, a clear indication of the trust and respect he commands within the bowling unit.
India might have won without him last week, but Bumrah’s return reinforces the psychological edge he gives the team. He’s not just a bowler; he’s an aura. His presence lifts the entire bowling attack, and on a Test match morning at Lord’s, when you need those critical breakthroughs, there’s simply no one better than Jasprit Bumrah. His return is a huge boost, a testament to his fitness and an ominous sign for England in this fiercely contested series.
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