Ahmedabad: India’s pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj enjoyed bowling against the West Indies batters on Day 1 of the opening Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium here on Thursday.
Siraj outshone his senior partner, bagging 4 of the first 6 West Indian wickets. Bumrah, brought back into the attack by skipper Shubman Gill to polish off the tail, then produced two unplayable yorkers to uproot the stumps of Justin Greaves and Johann Layne with the last ball of his 12th over and first legal delivery of his 13th (after a no-ball).
The champion pacer had five balls to end the West Indies innings, but decided to take it easy and give Siraj a chance to complete a five-wicket haul.
Instead of trying one of his lethal yorkers, Bumrah delivered three deliveries wide of off stump, helping the West Indies No. 11 batter survive and giving Siraj a crack at the final wicket of the innings in his next over.
As TV commentator Dinesh Karthik observed, Bumrah had pitched the ball outside off intentionally.
“I think he is bowling that length knowing Siraj is just one wicket away from a five-wicket haul,” former Team India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik, who was on air at that time, said.
Bumrah 🤝 Siraj 💙 pic.twitter.com/J47KSvYpJU
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 2, 2025
Siraj couldn’t ultimately bag a fifer as Kuldeep Yadav grabbed the last wicket to bowl out the West Inoes for 162. But Bumrah’s selfless act was not lost on cricket fans.
Netizens agreed with Karthik’s view, and lauded Bumrah’s gesture.
“He’s not only a great bowler but a selfless bowler,” reacted one user.
“Bumrah could have got a four-for but gave Siraj a chance to get his fifer.. A true champion,” wrote another fan.
Others appreciated the great bonding between Bumrah and Siraj, and how they complement each other.
