After England's closely fought Test series against India, English legend Joe Root has opened up on how their side nullified India's premier and the world's best pacer, Jasprit Bumrah.
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The Anderson-Tendulkar trophy match between the two nations ended in a draw (2-2). The series ended as one of the most historic and memorable Test series in the sport's history, with each game going to the fifth day and ending as a thriller.
Joe Root on how England countered Jasprit Bumrah during India's Test tour
In his recent interview with the Barmy Army TV, the English legend mentioned how England tackled the toughest bowler in the world, Jasprit Bumrah.
"I just think that he's very unique, so you've got to find a method that you can trust against him. He can bowl decent pace, he can swing both ways, and he's release point is later than everyone else."
Bumrah is widely known for his unique action, and his release point, where he delivers the ball from ahead of the popping crease, makes it even more difficult for the batters. It also adds some extra pace to the ball and hurries the batter.
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"I also think the way we countered him this series was brilliant. He only played three games, but out of those three, the ones we played against him, we won two of them...He might have got wickets, but the way we manipulated their whole attack around him, or at times put pressure back on him, was testament to our skills," added Root
While Bumrah picked up 14 wickets in the series, India did not win even a single game with him in the XI. The side just went on to draw the Manchester Test, where India bowled just once. Moreover, the pacer was also on the expensive side on a couple of occasions.
"He's world-class, he's the best Test bowler in the world, but in your mind, you can make him feel unfaceable and that's when you are walking out there with no chance...So sometimes the surface plays better than you think, sometimes they have an off day, and sometimes you're playing really well, and it's how many times you can get yourself in the right frame of mind," concluded the English legend.
Bumrah and Root have also been fierce rivals. It's always fun to watch when both legends face off each other in the red-ball format. The Indian magician dismissed the English legend twice in the recently concluded series, while Root also came on top on other occasions.
The series ended in a fitting 2-2 draw as neither side did not even gave an inch to the other. All five Tests went down to the wire and produced some thrilling clashes, once again igniting the love and passion for Test cricket amongst the fans.
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