'A rare beast in international arena' - David Lloyd lavishes praises on Jasprit Bumrah

Firmer England cricketer and commentator David Lloyd has lauded India’s stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah, stating that the pacer is a high-quality bowler. To note, Bumrah is leading the Indian side against the home team England in the ongoing rescheduled fifth Test match at Edgbaston.

Bumrah has performed excellently for the visiting team as he smacked senior pacer Stuart Broad for six boundaries in an over during the first innings of the match. He has also scalped some crucial wickets against the Three Lions and helped his side to get in a strong position at various stages of the match.

He takes his wicket at spit: Lloyd on Jasprit Bumrah

“Jasprit Bumrah is that rare beast of international cricket – a fast-bowling captain. I can’t think of too many over the years – Bob Willis, Pat Cummins. Bumrah is high-quality and must be so awkward to face. His arms are stiff; the batsman doesn’t get a clear view of the ball due to the quirkiness of his action, and then he releases it at close to 90mph. He takes his wickets at spit,” Lloyd wrote in his column for The Daily Mail.

“India has evolved as a team over the decades. Once noted for world-class spin bowlers, their next phase took in world-class batsmen,” he added. The cricketer-turned-commentator also praised former India skipper Virat Kohli to take India bowling attack to the next level.

“Fast bowling was neglected until the late 1980s when Dennis Lilee launched the MRF Pace Foundation. When Virat Kohli came along, he realised his team had to take 20 wickets to win Tests. Their attack has become a potent force since (then),” Lloyd added.

Meanwhile, Team England are in a very strong position, requiring 119 runs on Day 5 to win the Test match. At present, former England skipper Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow are occupying the crease for the Three Lions and both have completed their respective fifties.

Team India, on the other hand, need seven more wickets to win the final Test match and grab a famous Test series victory on English soil.