If every country gets a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah, Test cricket will flourish: Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan feels Test cricket will flourish if every country gets a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 6-61 in the second innings of the second Test match against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, and played a key role in team’s seven-wicket victory.

Bumrah accounted for Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi in his fine spell in the second innings. Furthermore, Bumrah bagged two wickets in the first innings.

Thus, Bumrah played an instrumental role in skittling out South Africa at 176 and India had to chase 79 runs to level the series. The Indian spearhead scalped a total of 12 wickets in two Test match series at an impressive average of 12.92 and also finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series.

Bumrah shared the Player of the Series award with Dean Elgar, who top-scored in the series with 201 runs in three innings.

“If you are prioritizing red-ball cricket even after surgery, you won’t get a bigger brand ambassador than him in bowling. If every country gets a bowler like Jasprit Bumrah, Test cricket will keep flourishing,” said Pathan on Star Sports.

Pathan said he is in love with Jasprit Bumrah’s on-field attitude. Bumrah is always positive and has shown on multiple occasions that he is a fast learner.

“I have fallen in love with Jasprit Bumrah’s attitude, especially the way he has bowled after back surgery. He is not only an inspiration for Indian cricket but also for world cricket,” said Pathan.

Bumrah was at his absolute best on his return to Test cricket and he will look to continue the good show in the upcoming five-match Test series against England.

India will next take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series, starting 11th January.