New Delhi: After a stellar performance with the ball in the first Test against England at Leeds, veteran Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah addressed the missed catching opportunities off his bowling and emphasized the importance of composure on the field. Bumrah returned with an impressive five-wicket haul, claiming 5/83 in 24.4 overs, even as three crucial catches were dropped off his bowling—those of Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook—all spilled by Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Bumrah said he doesn’t dwell on fielding errors. “Just for a second (there’s disappointment), but you just cannot sit and cry about it. You have to move on. I try not to let it fester in my head. A lot of them are new to the game, and it’s tough to judge the ball here. Nobody drops catches intentionally—it’s part and parcel of cricket. They’ll learn. I don’t want to add pressure by reacting or making a scene,” he said.
Despite the missed chances, Bumrah’s effort was nearly a solo act. His five-wicket haul was his 10th in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries, making him the first Indian bowler to achieve the milestone. He now stands just behind Pakistani legend Wasim Akram, who had 11 five-fors in these nations. This also marks Bumrah’s 12th five-wicket haul in away Tests, equalling Indian legend Kapil Dev.
On being asked why he declined the Indian Test captaincy, Bumrah said his focus remains on staying fit and contributing consistently. “There’s nothing major about not taking up captaincy. I’ve had discussions with my medical team and those who performed my surgery. I didn’t want to commit to a role that I might not fulfill fully if I’m unavailable. Leadership demands consistency, and I’d rather contribute wholeheartedly as a player. Nothing is bigger than Indian cricket and winning matches,” he said.
Commenting on the match conditions, Bumrah said the wicket at Leeds was fair and good to bat on. “It’s a decent pitch. There’s a bit of two-paced bounce and some swing, but that’s expected in Test cricket. There’s nothing too tricky so far,” he noted. He also added that India is aiming for a big second-innings total to take control of the match.
Speaking about England batter Harry Brook, who narrowly missed a century with a score of 99 in the first innings, Bumrah praised his temperament. “Fate decided 99 for him. He’s a smart batter. He knows when to attack and when to defend. We’ll look to handle him better in the next innings,” he remarked.
At the end of an eventful Day 3, which saw rain curtail the final session, India ended their second innings at 90/2, holding a lead of 96 runs. KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 47, with captain Shubman Gill on 6 at stumps.
