Control in adjusting lengths makes Jasprit Bumrah a special bowler: Ajit Agarkar

Former fast bowler Ajit Agarkar reckoned that Jasprit Bumrah should always try and look for wickets as the latter is a genuine wicket-taker. On Tuesday, July 12, the pacer was at his very best after he won the Player of the Match award following his six-wicket haul against England in the first ODI at Kennington Oval in London.

Bumrah also notched the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in ODI cricket on English soil. Agarkar felt that the English batters were circumspect against Bumrah, who currently has the third-best figures by an Indian in ODIs after Stuart Binny and Anil Kumble.

“You want to be as full as possible, especially with the new ball. Not everyone has that ability. The batters were also happy not to take too many chances against Bumrah. He is the sort of guy who should always look for wickets because he will get wickets,” Agarkar was quoted as saying.

Agarkar, who picked up 288 wickets for the Men in Blue in 191 ODIs, also lauded Bumrah for having a great amount of control over his line and length.

“If he goes for less than 50 runs in today’s one-day cricket, it will be the wickets that will make the difference. Everytime he bowls a little bit fuller, it’s his control in adjusting the lengths that makes him special,” he added.

After Bumrah picked up the six-fer, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s unbeaten 114-run partnership helped India win the match with 188 balls to spare. Rohit went on to score unbeaten on 76 as India got home in a canter.

The second match of the series is set to take place on Thursday, July 14, at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

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