2nd Test: James Anderson's refusal to accept Jasprit Bumrah's apology fired up team, says R Sridhar

Team India currently enjoy a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series against England, following a triumph by 151 runs in the recently concluded encounter at Lord’s. One of the biggest talking points was the face-off between Jasprit Bumrah and James Anderson. Bumrah bowled short-pitched deliveries at a high pace on Day 4 while Anderson was batting, leaving the English pacer furious. The complete incident was discussed by Ravichandran Ashwin and fielding coach R Sridhar, on the former’s youtube channel.

“The thing was, Jimmy (Anderson) was like, “Hey mate! Why are you bowling so fast? Am I doing the same to you?”. The beauty about that is, looks like Jimmy had told Boom, (Bumrah) “All these while, you were bowling in the 80MPHs, suddenly on seeing me, why are you bowling in the 90MPHs?” said Ashwin as quoted by Cricket Addictor.

Anderson’s refusal to accept Bumrah’s apology sparks fire in Indian team

The off-spinner admitted that he was surprised to hear such a statement from Anderson. R Sridhar chipped in at this stage, explaining the scenario that transpired after this.

“So after the innings, the boys were walking back to the dressing room. Then, Bumrah walked past Jimmy and just patted at him, so as to tell him that it wasn’t intentional. We all know Bumrah, he is such a nice guy. So he had gone to talk to him and end the matter, but Jimmy brushed him aside,” said the Team India fielding coach.

“Brushing him aside, he told him, “You bowl only 85MPH to the other batters, you are bowling 90 MPH to me. This is cheating, I won’t accept.” That got the team together. Not that the team wasn’t together before. It sparked/ignited a fire in everyone. The effect of that was visible on day 5. If we can give them target or 180, we can get them under pressure,” added Sridhar.

Unwritten rule among fast bowlers has now been shattered

The Team India fielding coach went on to reveal an unwritten rule among fast bowlers, that had been completed shattered.

“Previously, there was this unwritten rule amongst fast bowlers: The fast bowlers club. While one is bowling to the other, thou shall not bowl bouncers, beamers and extremely quicker deliveries. Bowl full ones and get him out. An understanding,” said Sridhar.

“Now that the club is all gone. That building has been destroyed and now they have even built a new skyscraper there. That club is gone now. Now if you bat, I’ll bowl fast at you. If you can, you do too mate! That kind of an attitude,” he added in a humorous response.

England cannot win Test matches if they are stupid

England were clearly affected by the clash between Bumrah and Anderson, attempting to dominate the former on Day 5 rather than going for a win. This approach was severely criticised by former English cricketer Geoff Boycott.

“If you are stupid you do not deserve to win Test matches. Joe (Root) had been doing well with his field placings and captaincy but seeing Jasprit Bumrah at the crease was like a red rag to a bull,” he wrote in The Telegraph.

“He encouraged Mark Wood to just pepper him with fast short balls. It is obvious the England captain and some of his players wanted payback for the working over Bumrah gave James Anderson in the first innings,” added Boycott.