SA v IND 2021-22: ‘Virat Kohli brings a lot of energy, always good to play under him’, says Bumrah after 5-fer in 3rd Test

Bumrah returned with the figures of 5 for 42 as India bowled out South Africa for 210 in 1st innings.

By Salman Anjum - 13 Jan, 2022

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah on Wednesday (January 12) expressed his delight to play under the leadership of Virat Kohli, saying the latter brings a lot of energy to the side.

Bumrah returned with a five-wicket haul (5-42) as India bowled out South Africa for 210 in the ongoing Cape Town Test, taking a first-innings lead of 13 runs.

Interestingly, it was the same venue where Bumrah had made his Test debut under Kohli in January 2018.

See Also: Cricket fraternity lauds 'phenomenal' Jasprit Bumrah as his 5/42 keeps South Africa to 210

"I made my Test debut under Virat Kohli, it is always wonderful. He is always there to back us and he always gives all the bowlers a lot of motivation. He brings a lot of energy to the side. It is always good to play under him. It has been special as I started my Test journey in Cape Town and then to come back here, I am very happy. Personal performances are always good but when you give impact performances, that gives you more satisfaction," said Bumrah during a virtual press conference after stumps on Day 2.

Dean Elgar (3), Aiden Markram (8), Keegan Petersen (72), Marco Jansen (7) and Lungi Ngidi (3) were the victims of Bumrah in Proteas’ first innings.

"There is always a lot of noise but the success, whatever comes is a byproduct. So basically what I try to do is have a routine and follow it again and again. Someday I would get a wicket, someday someone else would get the wicket.

"We as a unit want to focus on our routines, there will be doubters but that is something an individual has to decide. When I have paid attention to outside noise, it does not help. I try to control what is there in my control," said Bumrah.

"Playing in South Africa, I made my Test debut on this ground so it is special to come back to this ground where I started my Test journey. We were trying to focus on the game, we are trying to focus on what we can do and everyone wants to contribute. We wanted to create pressure, in the last game we had an injury (Siraj). Here everybody was fine," he added.

The visitors ended the day on 57/2, extending their overall lead to 70 runs in the second innings. Kohli (14*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (9*) were unbeaten in the middle at the close of play on Day 2.

When asked what would be a safe total on this Newlands track, Bumrah said: "Obviously, there is no magic number that I can say right now that this is the magic number. We will have to assess the wicket quickly. We have bowled on it, it is a new ball wicket. There is some seam movement with the new ball and as soon as the ball gets older, seam goes down and it gets easier. It would be important for us to have good partnerships."

(With ANI inputs)

By Salman Anjum - 13 Jan, 2022

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