Indian View: Dominant Jasprit Bumrah’s ‘booty’ the talk of Indian media after 17 wicket first day of Border Gavaskar Trophy series

The final session of a crazy first day of the Perth test belonged to the genius of Jasprit Bumrah, but it was his wife’s cheeky reaction on Instagram that created headlines in India.

In the growing international acclaim for India captain and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s destruction of Australia on day one of the Test, one cheeky comment stands out.

“Great bowler, even greater booty.”

The comment from Bumrah’s wife and sports broadcaster Sanjana Ganesan to her 1.5m followers on Instagram has quickly become a talking point in the Indian media as they delight in the dominant start to the Border Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth.

Sanjana Ganesan’s Instagram story about husband Jasprit Bumrah.

And it was Bumrah, with his stunning 4/17 who is leading the news agenda back home.

Former Pakistan captain and one of Test cricket’s greatest bowlers Wasim Akram led the plaudits telling Star Sports at the end of play: “Bumrah was at the top of his game, reading the Australian batters brilliantly. His spell was a masterclass in understanding conditions and exploiting weaknesses.

“He is the best bowler in world cricket in all the formats. The control, the swing, the pace, using the crease, went around the wicket to Usman Khawaja. I mean, he’s just a brilliant bowler to watch. He picked up the batter’s weakness very quickly, and he hardly bowled a short ball, and he realised that he would be expecting a short pitch delivery. He pitched up everything, swung the ball both ways and got four wickets. That’s what you call the leader leading from the front.”

Bumrah and his bowlers’ dominance of the Aussie batters perhaps convinced the travelling media to take it a bit easier on underperforming star Virat Kohli who was dismissed for just 5 runs in his first innings.

The Times of India dedicated an entire story to Kohli’s animated fielding, without a single mention of his dropped catch of Marnus Labuschagne or poor form with the bat.

Virat Kohli’s disappointment at dropping Marnus Labuschagne is written on his face - but not seemingly in the Indian media. Picture: SAEED KHAN / AFP

“The former Indian skipper’s fiery energy was on full display as he engaged in passionate appeals and wicket celebrations after the fall of every Australian wicket, while also leading by example with his commitment on the field,” they wrote.

“His animated body language and sharp focus highlighted his competitive spirit, energising the Indian team.”

However the Hindustan Times called into question “Kohli’s aggressive approach” and wondered whether he had failed to learn from earlier wickets and adapt his game plan to suit the conditions.

“But it was soon apparent that the former India skipper, who has been on multiple tours Down Under, had come out with a plan,” wrote the Hindustan Times.

“It was a plan that had once been tailored for and worked against England. But this was Australia. The pitch was hard, the ball was zipping through and India had already lost two wickets with very little on the board.

“Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal had been dismissed for a duck, trying to drive on the up. The shot would have been perfect in India but the conditions in Perth demanded a different approach. The edge flew to Nathan McSweeney at gully.

Kohli’s aggressive approach on the bouncy Perth pitch was criticised by the Hindustan Times. Picture: SAEED KHAN / AFP

“That should have given Kohli a clue to what he needed to do. But he chose to stick to his plan. He came out looking edgy, eager to put the pressure on the Aussies. Perhaps, he was too eager.

“You grow up listening to the greats taking about how Australia has always been a backfoot country. Play the horizontal shots, use the cut and the pull.

“But to play those shots, you need to get your footwork right. Go back and then go forward. If your initial movement is forward, then you could get stuck like Kohli. The premeditated plonk of the front foot does not work. Let the ball come a little more and then play it right under your eye.

“At this point, Kohli probably has a few doubts. But the first Test could become a tight, low-scoring game and India would love nothing more than have Kohli learn his lessons and step up, for once, by going on the backfoot.”

Originally published as Indian View: Dominant Jasprit Bumrah’s ‘booty’ the talk of Indian media after 17 wicket first day of Border Gavaskar Trophy series