Just moments after Jasprit Bumrah decimated the England middle order on Day 2 of the second test in Visakhapatnam, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly voiced his opinion. Ganguly advised the Board of Control for Cricket in (BCCI) reconsider the creation of turning tracks in the country. He firmly believes that Indian bowlers, exemplified by Bumrah’s exceptional display, have the ability to secure victory in a Test match against any opponent by claiming all 20 wickets, irrespective of the pitch conditions. Let’s delve deeper into Ganguly’s suggestions and Bumrah’s stunning performance.
Bumrah’s Pace-Bowling Brilliance:
During the second test against England, Bumrah’s proficiency as a pace bowler was on full display. His remarkable skills were evident from the start when he dismissed Joe Root, an achievement he has accomplished more times than any other non-Australian bowler. The delivery that deviated slightly away caught the former England Test captain off-guard, leading to a loose shot and an easy catch at first slip. Bumrah continued his dominance, taking Ollie Pope’s wicket with a yorker-length delivery that crashed into the middle and leg stump.
Ganguly Calls for a Change in Track Preparation:
After witnessing Bumrah’s incredible performance, Ganguly took to social media to voice his concerns. He urged the BCCI to consider abandoning the practice of preparing turning tracks that primarily aid spinners, especially when exceptional fast bowlers like Bumrah can put up such stunning displays. Ganguly emphasized that India’s talented spinners, including Ashwin, Jadeja, Kuldeep, and Axar, can take 20 wickets on any surface. He added that prioritizing spin-friendly pitches over the past several years has resulted in declining batting quality, highlighting the need for well-balanced wickets. Ganguly’s plea to the BCCI resonated with cricket enthusiasts who were in agreement with his stance.
Impressive Performance against England:
On the heels of Ganguly’s social media message, Bumrah took his 150th wicket in Test cricket, with 13 of those dismissals being England captain Ben Stokes. In achieving this feat, Bumrah became the second fastest Asian pacer and the fastest Indian to reach this milestone, following the legendary Waqar Younis. He continued his remarkable spell by dismissing Tom Hartley in the subsequent over, concluding the match with a remarkable five-wicket haul. Notably, Bumrah now sits third among Indian pacers, with only Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan surpassing him in terms of wickets taken.
Conclusion:
Sourav Ganguly’s suggestion to the BCCI to reevaluate track preparations in India comes on the heels of Jasprit Bumrah’s memorable performance against England. Bumrah’s masterful display showcased the exceptional talent possessed by Indian pace bowlers. Ganguly’s call for a balance between spin-friendly and seamer-friendly wickets garnered significant support, as cricket fans recognized the importance of maintaining the quality of cricket overall. With Bumrah’s historic achievements, the need to foster the growth of such talents becomes even more apparent. It remains to be seen how the BCCI will respond to Ganguly’s suggestion with regards to pitch preparations, but the impact of Bumrah’s recent performance cannot be ignored.