Jasprit Bumrah’s five wicket haul on a surface expected to assist spinners at Eden Gardens was less about surprise and more about patience and precision. India fielded four spinners for the first time since December 2012, a clear sign that the wicket would favour turn as the Test wore on. But it was the premier fast bowler who produced the defining spell.
Put in to bowl by South Africa, India struggled early as inconsistent lengths allowed the visitors to build a 57 run opening stand. Once Bumrah settled into his rhythm, he began to extract life from the pitch. His first breakthrough came when he bowled Rickelton for 23 in the 11th over. In his next over, he hit the deck hard to draw extra bounce and forced an outside edge from Markram on 31, which was taken cleanly by Rishabh Pant. Mohammed Siraj, meanwhile, leaked 25 runs in his first three overs before finding his groove later in the day.
Speaking after stumps, Jasprit Bumrah said patience is essential in Test cricket, especially on fast outfields and hard wickets. He said trying to force a magic delivery often leads to runs flowing quickly.
After lunch, Bumrah set up Tony de Zorzi with a short length barrage before trapping him leg before with a fuller ball angled in. Siraj then dismissed Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen, allowing Bumrah to return and finish the innings. He dismissed Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj in quick succession to bowl South Africa out for 159 in the 55th over.
Bumrah finished with 5 for 27 from 14 overs, his 16th five-wicket haul in Tests. He said the key was to keep temptation in check and continue bowling in threatening areas.
He said that while there are days when wickets come quickly, most spells require discipline and sustained accuracy. He said bowlers must remain patient even if success does not come immediately, especially on grounds where scoring can accelerate if lines and lengths waver.
