Akash Chopra praises Jasprit Bumrah after his incredible match-winning spell vs SA

Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Chopra (Pic: File Pic)

After a test match between India and South Africa which lasted for just two days, former India opening batsman Akash Chopra praises Jasprit Bumrah for his extraordinary six-wicket haul. Chopra said, "he does not go cold".

Despite Aiden Markram's century, Bumrah's six-wicket haul in the second innings shifted the momentum in India's favour. The visitors successfully chased the target and ended the series in a 1-1 draw.

Also Read: "Rohit Sharma helps me maintain a positive frame of mind": Yashasvi Jaiswal

"He does not go cold. He is a mighty guy. If Siraj took six wickets in the first innings, Bumrah said he is also there. When Bumrah's ball starts going up and down, or left and right, he is unplayable," said Chopra.

Speedster Jasprit Bumrah was crowned as India's 'Player of the Series' as he bagged 12 wickets in just two matches with the best bowling figures of six wickets for 61 runs. The speedster also registered four wickets in the first test match against South Africa and ended as the leading wicket-taker in the series.

Bumrah etched his name as one of the successful Test bowlers for India in overseas conditions.

Bumrah ended the match with a six-fer which marked the eighth occasion in 28 matches when he claimed more than five wickets in overseas conditions. Only legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev is ahead of him with nine five-wicket hauls to his name in 45 matches in the overseas.

Also Read: SA vs IND 2nd Test: A short and sweet two-day standoff

Bumrah has one five-wicket haul in Australia, two each in England and West Indies and three in South Africa. Only one fifer has come in India. His record as an overseas no doubt puts him out there as a future Hall of Famer in the sport.

Coming to the match, South Africa elected to bat first and was bundled out for just 55 in 23.2 overs, with Kyle Verreynne (15) and David Bedingham (12) being the sole players to touch double digits.

Mohammed Siraj's fiery spell of 6/15 destroyed Proteas' top and middle order, while Jasprit Bumrah (2/25) and Mukesh Kumar (0/2) also took wickets.

In their first innings, India was 153/4 at one point, with solid scores coming from Virat Kohli (46 in 59 balls, with six fours and a six), Rohit Sharma (39 in 50 balls, with seven fours) and Shubman Gill (36 in 55 balls, with five fours), but a Lungi Ngidi three-wicket over sunk India to 153 all out in 34.5 overs.

Ngidi (3/30), Kagiso Rabada (3/38) and Nandre Burger (3/42) took three wickets each for SA.

Later in their second innings, SA ended the day one at 62/3, with Aiden Markram (36') doing the bulk of the scoring. Skipper Dean Elgar managed 12 runs in his final Test innings. Mukesh got two while Bumrah got one wicket. On the next day, though Markram scored a fighting century, a knock of 106 in 103 balls with 17 fours and two sixes, the six-wicket haul by Bumrah (6/61) bundled out SA for 176 in 36.5 overs, setting India just 79 runs to win.

Mukesh Kumar took two wickets while Prasidh Krishna and Siraj got one.With the help of knocks from openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (28) and skipper Rohit Sharma (16'),

India chased down the total with seven wickets in hand in 12 overs. Siraj won the 'Player of the Match' award and both sides shared the trophy with the scoreline at 1-1.

(With ANI Inputs)