India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah made the England batters dance to his tunes in the second Test match at Vizag.
In reply to India’s first innings score of 396, the Three Lions were in a strong position at 114/2 in the 23rd over. However, Bumrah produced an incredible spell of reverse-swing bowling to leave the visitors in disarray.
The right-arm quick returned with the remarkable figures of 6/45 in 15.5 overs as England’s first innings folded for 253, conceding a significant lead of 143 runs.
In the fourth innings, the tourists were chasing a daunting target of 399 and Bumrah once again emerged as a chief destroyer, picking up three wickets to script India’s 106-run victory.
Jasprit Bumrah finished the match with nine wickets to his name and deservedly earned the Player-of-the-Match award.
After the game, England head coach Brendon McCullum lauded Bumrah's spell and backed his players to come up with a way to counter the Indian pacer. However, McCullum added that they won't be spending too much time in finding a way to combat Bumrah.
"Bumrah bowled a fantastic spell of reverse-swing," McCullum said while speaking to BBC Sport.
"Our guys have so much talent and quality, it's just a matter of ensuring they feel confident to make decisions and go all in on their strategies."
"We need to come up with some ways to counter that. It won't be a group discussion," he added.
After the first two Tests, the five-match series is levelled at 1-1 and McCullum likened the India vs England contest to a 'heavyweight fight'.
"What makes a great fight is a contrast in styles and the conviction in those methods," said McCullum.
"What we have seen is that both teams will give as good as what they get. I'm sure everyone around the world that has supported this series so far has been totally entertained and enthralled by the contest and 1-1 is probably a fair reflection of where it is at the moment.
"If the next three Tests are anything like these last two, it's going to be one hell of a series."
The third Test is slated to get underway after an extended break on February 15 in Rajkot.
