Jasprit Bumrah reckons that the match is quite balanced right now

The Indian team finished the second day of the third Test match very much on their terms and the credit of this goes towards the bowlers for a clinical performance. The Indian bowlers were absolutely superb and bowled in the right areas, while the rest of the work was done by the movement which the pitch is providing to a great extent. Young Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed his maiden five-wicket haul in Test match cricket in just his third game.

Jasprit Bumrah turns the tables

It was his second spell on Day 2, which turned the tables in India’s favour as the right-arm fast bowler picked up the crucial wickets of the South African skipper Faf du Plessis and then the top scorer of the game so far, Hashim Amla, before he played an incredible and patient innings that kept his team in the game. The hosts secured a lead of 7 runs as they got bowled out for 194 runs, after which Indian top order batsman finished the day very much on the top with a lead of 42 runs and 9 wickets in hand. Bumrah reckoned that it is quite difficult to say anything about the wicket right now but some balls are either low or some are coming at a height for sure.

“It is difficult to say that (there is equal contest between bat and ball on this pitch) because some balls are up and down. That could be dangerous for the batsmen. We are not focusing on those things right now,” said Bumrah to the media after the end of second day’s play as quoted by International Business Times.

We need to capitalize this start

It is quite evident that batting has not been easy so far on this Johannesburg pitch, as batters from both the teams have struggled a lot tackling the lateral movement which the track is offering. But now being ahead by 42 runs, India need to capitalise this start on Day 3, feels the fast bowler who has been the find for his India in this series. He also revealed that he has never bowled on such a wicket in India and mentioned that focusing towards the basics of the game is very important.

“We have got a good start right now. We are really happy. Tomorrow morning we will be able to play with intent and capitalise on it. That is the main target right now. The match is in the balance. It could be anybody’s game. We have not discussed about any target,” he added.

The 24-year old feels that the new ball is doing all the tricks and the plan was to bowl good hard lengths. The Indian bowlers wanted to create the pressure on the South African batsman and they got succeeded to that to a great extent by slowing runs down for the opposition. Bumrah also mentioned that on a pitch like this no batsman is set or comfortable at the crease as they can get dismissed within no time.

“With the new ball a lot is happening. We were trying to bowl good hard lengths here. That was our basic plan. But as soon as the ball gets softer it is a little bit easier. But still it is up and down. We wanted to create pressure as a unit from both ends. Over here, you are never set. Anytime you can get out,” concluded the paceman.