The Bumrah spell against Joe Root is very high-quality reverse swing bowling – Alastair Cook

Jasprit Bumrah breathed fire in Vizag on Day 2 of the second Test as he claimed six crucial wickets in an innings-defining spell, leaving England with a bitter taste in their mouth. The Indian ace quick claimed the scalps of Ollie Pope (23), Joe Root (5), Jonny Bairstow (25), Ben Stokes (47), Tom Hartley (21) and James Anderson (6) to fuel India’s charge and bowl out England for just 253.

Out of all the wickets claimed by Bumrah, the scalp of Joe Root was one of the most eye-catching ones, which sparked several discussions. The setup was more perfect than ever for Bumrah as he first tested Root with an inswinger from good length followed by a similar delivery that went away from the Test stalwart instead of nipping back in.

Root, who was committed to the cause of defending his own timbre came forward in defence, only to nick the ball to Shubman Gill at first slip. That was the eighth time that India’s premium pacer removed the English powerhouse.

Commentating on TNT Sports, former England skipper Alastair Cook said, “A couple of those balls, the Bumrah spell against Joe Root, is actually very high-quality reverse swing bowling."

Adding further to that about Rohit’s captaincy, Cook said, “What is very clever about it is after the partnership, Bumrah didn’t bowl the first over of reverse swing, [Mukesh] Kumar did, and when they knew it was reverse swinging, they went to his [India skipper Rohit Sharma's] best bowler.”

Quickly highlighting Root’s fault on facing Bumrah, Cook said, “At Hyderabad, he was playing across the line and got LBW. Early on he saw an in-swinger and played a beautiful straight bat, so he’s trying to do it. But what he does do, you’re looking to play the ball all the time.”

He concluded by saying, “Bumrah has realised that and dragged him wider. So you’re trying to cover that but it brings another dismissal into play, so he’s got him out both ways now. Now Root’s in that horrible position that the batsman has got the wood over you, so how are you going to counter it?"

India’s 143-run first innings lead was further increased to 171 at Stumps on Day 3 as Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal put on an unbeaten 28-run stand at Vizag.