Bumrah feels the game is ‘still in the balance’

The pacer, who throttled the Proteas in its second innings, says early wickets on Day 4 morning can tilt the Test India’s way.

Jasprit Bumrah removed Hashim Amla and Aiden Markram during South Africa’s second innings at the SuperSport Park in Centurion on Monday.

 

India speedster Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled a blistering spell with the new ball on day three in the second Test against South Africa here on Monday, felt the game was “still in the balance.”

He said, “If we get early wickets tomorrow, the match can be in anybody’s favour.”

On neither ‘keeper Parthiv Patel nor Chesteshwar Pujara at first slip going for the catch when Dean Elgar edged him, Bumrah said, “It’s not like they didn’t go for the catch on purpose. It’s okay, it happens in the game.”

Asked about skipper Virat Kohli’s innings, he said, “Virat’s innings was very crucial for us and he brought us back into the game. It is good that the captain is leading from the front and taking responsibility.”

IND vs SA: AB de Villiers, Elgar keep Proteas in hunt

South African paceman Morne Morkel, who claimed four wickets in the Indian first innings, was critical of the pitch for the Test. “I’ve played cricket here all my life, and I’ve never seen a wicket like this at SuperSport Park. It was really hard work. In the heat, with conditions really tough, it was right up there with one of the hardest spells I’ve bowled.”

The conditions at SuperSport for this Test, he said, were close to bowling in India. “A spinner bowling that many overs on the first day here is unheard of. We even took the option to open in the over before lunch on day two with a spinner. There’s a very subcontinental feel to it. These are not the conditions that we want in South Africa.”

Talking about a target that could win the Test for South Africa, he said, “With the wicket now turning a little bit and keeping a bit low, I think 250 can be a very good target.”

Speaking about Kohli, he noted, “Virat is very competitive. That’s his nature. India are over here to compete and they’ve got a team that could potentially beat South Africa for the first time here.”

On Bumrah’s bowling he said, “Bumrah has got the perfect action for this sort of wicket. He is very skiddy.”