Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass in fast bowling at the historic Lord’s, securing his place on the venue’s prestigious honours board with a five-wicket haul that helped India take control against England. Yet, what caught as much attention as his brilliant spell was his composed, almost expressionless reaction after taking his fifth wicket, leading many to wonder about the reason behind the calm during such a significant personal milestone.
Jasprit Bumrah’s figures of 5/74 helped India dismiss England for 387 shortly after lunch on Day 2 of the third Test, marking his 15th five-wicket haul in Tests and taking him past Kapil Dev for the most overseas five-fors by an Indian bowler. It was also Jasprit Bumrah’s first appearance on the Lord’s honours board, a coveted achievement for any cricketer. His spell included the crucial wickets of Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes during a fiery morning burst that turned the match in India’s favour.
Fatigue, Not Frustration Behind Calm Reaction
While fans expected a trademark Jasprit Bumrah fist pump or a wide smile when he claimed his fifth wicket by dismissing Jofra Archer, the fast bowler instead quietly returned to his mark. The absence of celebration prompted speculation that he might have been disappointed with how England’s lower order extended the innings, with Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse adding 84 runs for the ninth wicket.
Speaking at the post-day press conference, Jasprit Bumrah clarified the reason for his restraint, stating, “The reality is that I was tired. There was no happiness factor. I bowled for a long time on the field, and sometimes I get tired.” He added, “I’m not 21-22 anymore that I’ll jump around. I’m usually not like that. I was happy that I contributed. Other than that, I just wanted to go back to my mark and bowl the next ball.”
Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the previous Test in Edgbaston as part of workload management, returned to show why he remains India’s leading fast bowler across formats, with his pace, seam movement, and control continuing to trouble even the best batters in challenging conditions.
Another Root Masterclass Dismissal, India Finish Strong at 145/3
Earlier in the day, Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Joe Root with a delivery that nipped in and knocked over the middle stump, marking the 11th occasion he has dismissed the England great in Tests. His performance at Lord’s was his second consecutive five-wicket haul in this series, following his five-for in Leeds.
In response to England’s total, India closed Day 2 at 145/3, with KL Rahul anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 53, displaying composure against a disciplined England attack. Rishabh Pant, despite a finger injury, batted at No. 5 and remained unbeaten on 19, ensuring India finished the day in a stable position. The innings began shakily, with Jofra Archer, returning to Test cricket after four years, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first over.
Karun Nair contributed a composed 40 before falling to a stunning one-handed catch by Joe Root in the slips, while Shubman Gill, fresh from a double-century at Edgbaston, managed only 16 in the first innings at Lord’s. Despite these setbacks, India maintained control thanks to Rahul’s steady presence and Pant’s resilience, setting up a promising position heading into Day 3.
