Jasprit Bumrah bowled 26 overs on Tuesday but even late in the evening, it did not seem like it. Neither his speed nor his discipline waned, as England's batsmen found out. Bumrah took five for 85, to help India all but seal a huge victory in the third Test. "When I made my first-class debut, my first spell was of 10 overs, so I was always used to bowling a lot of overs in the Ranji Trophy," he said. "That always helps. When I was injured, I was working on my fitness. I was always in touch with my trainers so that whenever I came here I would be in good shape."
Day's report: India on the brink of victory
Bumrah has had great success in white-ball cricket but he has quickly impressed in Tests too. In four Tests now, he has two five-wicket hauls, both significant efforts. "In white ball cricket things are different," he said. "Over there you try to outsmart batsmen, but here in Test cricket, it's all about patience and consistency. That was my main focus today. You can't blast the batsmen out. I was looking to bowl good lengths and always challenge batsmen with good lengths and lines."
It didn't matter, he said, that the match had gone into a fifth day. "As far as you get the desired result, you are very happy," he said. "We always had the belief today that if we keep on applying pressure, sometime or the other we will get the result. The second new ball, because of the new seam, it was seaming a bit more than the older ball. That was helping as well. We were just trying to get one wicket, not to look too far ahead and just take one wicket at a time then everything will follow."
He had enjoyed his battle with Jos Buttler, Bumrah stated. "We've played together for MI in the IPL, so I've bowled a little bit to him in the nets, but not a lot. It's always an interesting competition because he's an attacking player. If he gets a good start, he keeps on going and it could create problems. I was just focusing on my strengths, what has worked for me before. I've got him out 2-3 times in the IPL as well and in the nets as well. I have a clear plan, a clear head and a clear space of mind."
Bumrah, who had not played in the first two Tests due to an injury to his left hand, spoke about his recovery. "I was injured but I was able to bowl in the nets. Even when I was back home, I was trying to train in the gym, whatever I could do, maybe run on the treadmill. But I was always keeping an eye on what both teams were doing in the first two Tests, what works over here that suits my bowling. I was just trying to keep an eye and replicate that in the nets sessions. It usually takes time because it doesn't matter how many overs you bowl in the nets. Match feel is always different. Try to get into the groove pretty quickly -- that was my basic aim."
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