Reactions: 'Bumrah, bowling equivalent of the 360-degree batsman'
On the stroke of lunch on day 3, just as Shaun Marsh and Travis Head were looking like they were taking Australia to a semblance of safety, Jasprit Bumrah struck with a full, slower ball - 30 kph slower than his previous delivery. It was one of those moments that left social media (and our ball-by-ball feedback) abuzz. He then followed it up with a faster in-dipper to Travis Head, beating him for pace, before going on to run through the Australian tail, finishing with career-best figures of 6 for 33. Here's how it all unfolded.
Plumb! On the last ball before lunch Jasprit Bumrah gets Shaun Marsh lbw with a slow, low, full delivery - Australia 89-4 #AUSvIND
— Cricday (@Cricday) December 28, 2018
Live report: https://t.co/kGXZsyzDT4
Ball-by-ball: https://t.co/Ykh3j8BScj pic.twitter.com/glWIgvafxV
NOOOOO! @shaunmarsh9 departs on the last before ball before lunch.
— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) December 28, 2018
LIVE #AUSvIND: https://t.co/AB6QpbaIbv pic.twitter.com/3zKdCo3aHm
Bumrah is the bowling equivalent of the 360 degrees batsman. #AUDvIND #MatchDay
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 28, 2018
Indian fast bowlers have gotten more from the surfaces than their Australian counterparts. And Bumrah has been the best bowler by a fair margin.... #AusvInd #7cricket @7Cricket
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 28, 2018
Bumrah's Test debut in January 2018 now feels like a long time ago, doesn't it?
Might b debatable but for me the best bowler across all formats and conditions.... Jasprit Bumrah.... You beauty #AUSvIND
— Deep Dasgupta (@DeepDasgupta7) December 28, 2018
WHAT A BOWLER! Incredible from Bumrah. Previous delivery 140kph, wicket ball 111kph. #AUSvIND
— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) December 28, 2018
Bumrah's moment of magic brought back references to comments from the host broadcaster on day 1.
Hi Kerry O'Keefe, hope you enjoyed that Hot Spicy Indian Curry being served by our head chef, Bumrah, from our Indian Railways.#AUSvIND #Bumrah #BoxingDayTest
— North Stand Gang - Wankhede (@NorthStandGang) December 28, 2018
Each of the first 5 balls in Bumrah's over was within 1.5kph of each other. The Indian established a pattern, lulling Marsh into playing the ball before it was bowled, before unleashing that slower ball. Arguably the best over of fast bowling we've seen in this series. #AUSvIND https://t.co/XlTdQfLxZm
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 28, 2018
The drift and length from Bumrah to Marsh took the MCG pitch out of the equation.
Damn this dead, lifeless pitch. #AUSvIND
— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) December 28, 2018
Finally the boos at the MCG on day one make sense. #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/IQL23eMiKo
— Patrick Noone (@PatrickNoone08) December 28, 2018
Bumrah is such a unique bowler. He reminds you of... nobody. Has an action you wouldn't want to teach any kid. Yet, so cerebral and so relentless. So original. Godsend.
— Sidvee (@sidvee) December 28, 2018
A bold prediction by Michael Clarke, but Jasprit Bumrah is more than capable #AUSvIND https://t.co/kGXZsyRfhE pic.twitter.com/jaHKxrDI6L
— Cricday (@Cricday) December 28, 2018
On our ball-by-ball commentary, meanwhile, readers were comparing Bumrah's ripper to Shaun Marsh with other memorable deliveries.
Yatin: "After Mitchell Starc to James Vince, this has taken some while coming, but simply brilliant by Bumrah! "
Praveen: "Remembering Harmison's delivery to Clarke in that Ashes !"
Here's this delivery with that Mark Nicholas line from the 2005 Ashes.
The Bumrah wicket is even better with Mark Nicholas' commentary... pic.twitter.com/S7bRsS9blH
— Yas Rana (@Yas_Wisden) December 28, 2018
Rohit: "That was Malinga-like. His mentor would be proud."