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Not magic but patience key to Bumrah's bowling masterclass / Photo: DIBYANGSHU SARKAR - AFP
Not magic but patience key to Bumrah's bowling masterclass
India's Jasprit Bumrah said his five-wicket haul on Friday in the first Test against South Africa was the product of consistency rather than sorcery.
"If you want success, you need patience," Bumrah told reporters.
"Obviously, this is a wicket where the outfield is fast and the wicket is hard. If you're too desperate or you go for a magic ball, the runs come too fast."
Bumrah returned figures of 5-27 for his 16th Test five-wicket haul as India bowled out South Africa for 159 on the first day at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
Bumrah took five overs to find his rhythm on a pitch that had variable bounce and struck in the sixth, rattling the stumps of the left-handed Ryan Rickelton with a seaming delivery.
He then removed Aiden Markram with a gem. The batsman was caught behind for 31 off a rising ball that flicked the glove and reached a a diving Rishabh Pant.
"You need to control your temptation and build pressure and see what are the tough run-scoring options," said Bumrah. "If you continuously bowl in good areas, you'll get wickets."
India are playing four spinners on a track that is expected to turn as the match progresses.
But pacer Bumrah, who bowls with an unorthodox slinging front-on action and has made many injury comebacks, stood out with his control and guile in three spells of seven, five and two overs. He wrapped up the South African innings in 55 overs with his twin strikes soon after tea.
"Feels very good," Bumrah said of his haul. "Wherever you play in India it is known that spinners will pick a lot of wickets."
"So whenever you are able to make an impact with limited spells because there are majority of spinners in our line-up. Very happy with the performance but job is still left in the Test match."
South Africa's batting coach Ashwell Prince praised Bumrah for leading an inspired Indian attack.
"It was a sensational bowling display, particularly from Bumrah," said Prince.
"Bumrah was relentless, and the spinners were pretty good as well. We got to work hard, long way to go in the game, and hopefully we'll go back in the second inning."
A second Indian quick Mohammed Siraj and spinner Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each.
Bumrah has claimed 231 wickets across 51 matches at an average of under 20 in his already glittering Test career which began in 2018.
Z.Mertens--BlnAP
