‘Need to come up with ways to counter that’ – Brendon McCullum on Jasprit Bumrah’s threat in remaining games

Brendon McCullum & Jasprit Bumrah. (Photo Source: Philip Brown/Popperfoto, Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was seen at his imperious best during the second Test against England in Visakhapatnam as he helped the hosts win the match by 106 runs registering his second-best match figures. The 30-year-old picked his second five-wicket haul in the first innings with figures of 6/45 in 15.5 overs. Later he added three more wickets to his tally in the second innings and registered his second-best career figures of 9/91.

Following his breathtaking spell, Bumrah was awarded Player of the Match over double-centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal. After the match-winning performance by the Indian bowler, England’s head coach Brendon McCullum heaped praise on the fast bowler and stated that they need to come up with ways to counter him.

“Bumrah bowled a fantastic spell of reverse swing. 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,” head coach McCullum told BBC Sport.

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Notably, Bumrah dismantled the England batting order in the first innings claiming big scalps of Joe Root, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. He further dismissed Bairstow in the second innings as well along with Ben Foakes and Tom Hartley.

Further speaking ahead, McCullum expressed excitement for the remaining three games with the series tied 1-1.

It’s going to be one hell of a series: McCullum

“What makes a great fight is a contrast in styles and the conviction in those methods. What we have seen is that both teams will give as good as what they get. I’m sure everyone around the world who 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,” he added.

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Meanwhile, both teams have got a nine-day break ahead of the third Test which is scheduled to begin from February 15 at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. The England squad has gone to Abu Dhabi to rejuvenate ahead of the third Test while India will name their squad in the coming days for the remaining three matches.