It was important to create pressure - Jasprit Bumrah opens up about asking captain Virat Kohli to hand him the ball post-lunch at Oval
Jasprit Bumrah was right in the thick of things as India took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series against England with a memorable 157-run win at The Oval.
On a flat deck that offered little to no assistance for the seamers, Bumrah proved why he's the leader of this Indian bowling attack. There had been signs of reverse swing in the first session. But post-lunch, it almost seemed like Bumrah had the ball on a string.
In his post-match interview, India captain Virat Kohli admitted that it was Bumrah who asked to be handed the ball. He looked to make things happen for his side. And boy, didn't he deliver?
Bumrah, on his part, opened up about the importance of creating pressure. He also spoke about why he approached his skipper to allow him to unleash the spell that altered the course of the match.
"It's obviously very important to create pressure and we thought it's an important phase. So, I went up to him and told him that I think we should start well and try to create some pressure. So, that was the intention behind it and we're very happy to get this result."
Bumrah said:
"A lot of effort went into this win. All the bowlers contributed with the bat, as well as with the ball so very happy for all of them. Really happy with it and hopefully we will carry the momentum into the next match as well."
I was of that mindset that if we start well and create enough pressure, any result is possible - Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah's dismissals of Ollie Pope and Jonny Bairstow were among the pivotal moments of the final day. With the ball reversing wickedly and Bumrah firing on all cylinders, the two quick wickets gave India the impetus they were looking for.
Bumrah's post-lunch spell was undoubtedly one of the best by an Indian bowler in recent times. Bumrah shared his and the team's mindset during the lunch break.
"The mindset after the lunch break was that we needed to create a lot of pressure and needed to start really well. If you give a lot of runs and the momentum goes away, suddenly you come under pressure and you don't want to play catchup in that situation. So, I was of that mindset that if we start well and create enough pressure, any result is possible."
Bumrah said:
"We had a lot of belief and we wanted to run on that belief. I think it worked out well. Obviously, the wicket was on the flatter side and it requires a lot of patience and control, so we wanted to exhibit that and give it our all. In that moment, my mindset is that if I've given it all that I've got, win or lose, I'll accept the result."
He added:
So that is my mindset, regardless of wherever I go and play cricket and that is something I look to carry in the future as well.
Jasprit Bumrah, in his 24th Test, became the fastest Indian pacer to 100 Test wickets. The legendary Kapil Dev held the previous record, achieving the feat in his 25th match.