Jasprit Bumrah versus a nation

It’s a tale of two ends as a once-in-a-generation bowler is outflanked by a bowling unit equal to any throughout Test history.

Just for the record, there are two bowlers called Akash in the current Ilford Second XI. You might be wondering why I’m making it a point to reveal this rather random fact about a cricket club on the coast of Essex in southern England. That too in the midst of a high-profile Test match in Brisbane at the halfway point of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Ilford Seconds have after all been brought up quite a bit over the past couple of days here at the Gabba, across pretty much every commentary box, radio and TV combined.

The reference itself is a nod to Graham Gooch’s famous quote in the late 1980s about what it was like to bat against a New Zealand bowling attack led by Sir Richard Hadlee in a Test match. “Like the World XI at one end, and Ilford Second XI at the other,” the former England captain, who hailed from Ilford, had said. And the reason why Gooch’s wisdom has resurfaced so incessantly over the past couple of days is a nod to the lone ranger role that Jasprit Bumrah has ended up playing for India here in the third Test, just like he’d done last week in Adelaide.

Jasprit Bumrah celebrates taking six wickets against Australia at the Gabba

It’s Bumrah versus Australia. Bumrah versus the rest. Bumrah versus the world.

I of course only bring up the two Akashes from Ilford as a quirky coincidence to there being an Akash in India’s current bowling line-up at the Gabba. And certainly not to disparage the skiddy Akash Deep, who if anything is the only other Indian bowler who’s looked half as threatening as Bumrah in this Test. Deep is the most inexperienced of India’s fast-bowling trio, but his full length and movement worried the Australian batters, particularly Steve Smith, on a helpful surface under heavy cloud cover in Queensland. That said, he is part of a decent support cast at best.

For it’s still felt like Bumrah or bust whenever India have been on the field. Bumrah or the abyss whenever India have had their backs against the wall. Bumrah or surrender whenever Australia and Travis Head have dictated terms and pushed them to the ledge.

For once, the numbers tell the story very vividly. While Bumrah has 18 wickets at 11.72 apiece, the rest of the seamers combined have taken 19 wickets at an ordinary average of 36.63. World-class versus average at best. India’s mainstay eventually finished with another impressive bag on the third morning, figures of 6-76 in 25 challenging overs, most of the runs off his bowling coming from Head’s bat. That’s an economy rate of 2.7, up against Deep who went at 3.2 an over, Siraj at 4.2 an over and Nitish Kumar Reddy at 5 an over.

What it must feel like to be Jasprit Bumrah while he’s toiling away from his end, knowing that he’s fighting a solitary battle. What it must feel like to be Jasprit Bumrah as he finally settles down and puts his feet up in the dressing-room to watch his counterparts do their business with ball in hand.

Mitchell Marsh celebrates with Mitchell Starc after catching Shubman Gill Picture: Getty Images

This Test series was already shaping up as a once-in-a-generation bowler versus a once-in-a-generation bowling unit. But if you ever wanted to understand the disparity between the lack of support for Bumrah and the incredible fashion in which Australia’s hall of fame pace attack supports and complements itself, the 33-odd overs on Monday were the perfect illustration.

Bumrah would have watched probably with some envy as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood started proceedings with the new ball. Both equally threatening. Both equally menacing. Both equally challenging. No respite. No remorse. No way out. As the Indian top-order found out once again.

Josh Hazlewood is mobbed by his teammates after dismissing Virat Kohli Picture: Getty Images

With the cushion of 445 runs on the board, Starc was full and quick, forcing young Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill to play shots that they probably could have avoided, to draw first blood. Meanwhile, at the other end, Hazlewood was giving nothing away. Ten years after making his Test debut at the same venue, he was showing that he’s still got it, and if anything is only getting meaner by the day. Along with continuing to have the wood on Virat Kohli. While he’s made it a habit of nicking off the champion Indian batter during his decade-long career, the Kohli dismissal was a great example of two fast bowlers tag teaming to pin down an opponent.

Kohli had looked edgy from the moment he walked out to bat. But the one-two finishing manoeuvre began with Starc bowling him a bouncer that rocked Kohli, beating him for pace and forcing him to fend it away in an uncomfortable and ungainly fashion. Though Kohli survived the next delivery from Starc, which he shouldered arms to, it was Hazlewood who made the most of the impact of his partner’s bouncer when he bowled his next delivery to Kohli. The right-hander flashing at a wide-ish full delivery from Hazlewood and getting an outside-edge. Game over.

What it must have felt like to be Jasprit Bumrah in that moment.