Making a stellar return to Test cricket after an 18-month hiatus, Jasprit Bumrah showcased his lethal prowess in the recently concluded two-match series between India and South Africa, concluding in a 1-1 draw with India’s victory in the second Test at Cape Town. In a historic achievement, Bumrah became the first Indian to clinch the Player of the Series (POTS) award on South African soil, sharing the accolade with Dean Elgar, who retired from Test cricket after a remarkable century in the Centurion Test.
Securing 12 wickets, the highest tally in the series, Bumrah’s standout performance included a crucial four-wicket haul in the Centurion Test, where India bowled just once, resulting in a massive innings victory for Proteas by 32 runs.
In the Cape Town Test led by Rohit Sharma, Bumrah played a pivotal role, forming a potent partnership with Mohammed Siraj. In the first innings, he claimed two wickets, while in the second innings, he secured his third five-wicket haul in South Africa, finishing with figures of 6/61 as India triumphed by seven wickets.
This marked India’s ninth Test series on South African soil, and notably, only the second time they avoided defeat in a series. Despite being yet to secure a series win in red-ball cricket in South Africa, Bumrah’s exceptional performance added a historic chapter to India’s cricketing journey.
Reflecting on his debut six years ago in Cape Town, Bumrah expressed, “This ground will always hold a special place in my heart. It was always a dream to play Test cricket, and the journey started here. There’s always fond memories of my first game. I’m very happy that it went well today as well,” encapsulating the significance of his cricketing journey.
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