Bumrah breaks records and Twitter with 'virtuoso' spell
Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah has left the cricket world in a frenzy with a stunning display of record-breaking bowling against Australia at the MCG.
India opted against enforcing the follow-on after seizing a first-innings lead of 292 runs on day three of the third Test in Melbourne, where Australia capitulated to be all out for 151.
Bumrah spearheaded an inspired Indian attack, grabbing a career-best haul of 6-33 that made the much-maligned MCG pitch look anything but flat.
The Indian pacer – still in his first year in Test cricket – waded into the Australian batting lineup on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test with figures of 6/33, the best for an Indian fast bowler Down Under since 1985.
Bumrah’s figures were also the best ever by an Indian in a Test match at the MCG.
It was a display of fierce, toe-crushing precision – four of Bumrah’s six scalps were either bowled or leg before wicket, with one of those four a superb slower ball that bamboozled Shaun Marsh.
Bumrah’s sensational spell left the cricket world in awe of the fast bowler.
OUT. What a beauty of a slower ball from Bumrah! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/9vLf2TgqVc
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2018
India have found a treasure in Jasprit Bumrah. So young and already so accomplished.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 28, 2018
It’s been a virtuoso performance from Bumrah. The full range: yorkers, bouncers, pace, change of pace, movement and control.
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) December 28, 2018
Considering the pitch, considering the series, considering the history of Indian seamers in Australia, Bumrah's 6-33 is one of the *great* bowling performances. #AUSvIND
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) December 28, 2018
In many ways Bumrah has been the find of the year in Test cricket. The last delivery before lunch — fast, swinging yorker which got Shaun Marsh — shows why. Great session for India.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 28, 2018
First year of Test cricket = five-wicket hauls in South Africa, England AND Australia for @Jaspritbumrah93 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/FQPujxeqq3
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2018
The final three wickets came in a nine-ball burst to wipe out the Australian tail, ensuring a massive lead for India.
Virat Kohli decided to give his team’s bowlers a rest as they hunt a 2-1 series lead.
It means Australia’s tired attack, having spent 169.4 overs in the field during India’s first innings, were forced to bowl for a third consecutive day.
Tim Paine spent longer at the crease than any member of Australia’s top six, which folded in embarrassing collapses of 3-29 and 3-13, but couldn’t manufacture any miracles with the tail.
Paine faces an uphill battle as he dreams of avoiding a defeat that would put India in the box seat to record their maiden Test series win in Australia.
A draw would represent a moral victory for Paine’s team, given India have dominated the contest from the moment Kohli won the toss.
5️⃣ for @Jaspritbumrah93!
He traps Nathan Lyon LBW to achieve it #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/b6BylXydzT
— #7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2018
The Records Bumrah Broke
Career-best figures for Bumrah in Tests, bettering the 5/54 he claimed against South Africa at Johannesburg in January.
Bumrah’s third five-wicket haul in nine Tests, but the first time he has taken a six-for in international cricket.
Best figures for any Indian bowler in Tests at the MCG, surpassing Bhagwath Chandrasekhar’s 6/52 in 1977.
Second-best figures for an Indian fast bowler in Tests in Australia, behind only Kapil Dev’s 8/106 at Adelaide in 1985.
Only the fifth instance of an Indian pacer taking six wickets in an innings in a Test match Down Under.
Only the 15th instance of an Indian fast bowler returning a six-wicket haul in a single innings in Tests outside Asia.
With agencies
