Japsrit Numrah and James Anderson are two of the very best test fast bowlers in the world and it was well anticipated that when the two arch rivals meet in the test series between India and England, the battle will be one to be cherished. And boy did it so happen. The first test match between the two sides ended up quietly as the last day was washed out due to rain but on the second test match at Lords’, there were ample heated moments between the two which further raised the stakes of the already intense match.
England pacer Jimmy Anderson had a brilliant first innings spell and picked up as many as 5 wickets. The 39 year old has no plans to stop despite having crossed the average age of a fast bowler and is still considered to be one of the best test bowlers in the whole world.
On the other hand, despite having a great first match performance, Jasprit Bumrah failed to impress with the ball in the first innings of the second match and did not pick up any wicket. Maybe it was because of the frustration of failure that Jasprit Bumrah started bowling successive lethal bouncers targeting James Anderson’s body and head when the tailender came in to bat near the end of Day 4.
However, it might have been a strategy of the Indian pace attack to unnerve Jimmy Anderson as all of them were bowling him bouncers at a certain point and it served its purpose. James Anderson lost him calm in an over of Mohammad Shami and he was seemingly very furious. He walked up to Jasprit Bumrah, opened his helmet and was seen yelling something at him. Bumrah however, laughed it away and acted as if nothing happened.
In the very next moment, Mohammad Shami dismissed Anderson.