Zak Crawley Falls Early as Bumrah Strikes in Fiery Opening Spell
In a dramatic start to England’s first innings on Day 2 of the opening Test at Headingley, Zak Crawley became Jasprit Bumrah’s first victim, falling to a peach of a delivery that set the tone for the rest of the session. India, having posted a commanding 471 in their first innings, were brimming with energy as they took the field — and Bumrah wasted no time showing why he's considered one of the most lethal bowlers in Test cricket today.
With the floodlights on and the clouds hanging low, the conditions were tailor-made for swing, and Bumrah didn’t miss his cue. From the very first over, he came steaming in with fire in his eyes. Crawley, facing just the sixth delivery of the innings, was undone by a ball that straightened just enough after pitching. Attempting to flick it away on the leg side, Crawley instead found a thick edge that flew to Karun Nair at first slip. India had their breakthrough — and it was a big one.
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Crawley’s early dismissal wasn’t just a statistic on the scoreboard. It marked a shift in momentum that India desperately needed after an end-of-innings batting collapse that saw them lose 7 wickets for just 41 runs. The Indian camp, visibly charged up, rallied behind Bumrah’s energy. At one point, he was seen delivering a passionate pep talk to his teammates, urging them to tighten up after a couple of dropped catches and missed opportunities in the field.
Despite England managing to stabilize through Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, Crawley’s wicket was a psychological blow. He’s been a reliable top-order presence for England, and seeing him walk back without making a dent gave India a definite edge in the early part of the session.
The dismissal itself was a combination of Bumrah’s sharpness and Crawley’s misjudgment. With the ball moving late, Crawley found himself cramped and caught in two minds. These are the moments that define Test matches — a fraction of hesitation, a slight misread, and suddenly the tide turns.
What followed was a classic display of Test cricket's tug-of-war. Pope and Duckett counterattacked effectively, bringing up a 50-run partnership quickly. They rode their luck too, both benefitting from dropped catches — signs that India, despite Bumrah’s brilliance, were still susceptible to lapses under pressure.
But make no mistake, it all began with that first over and that fiery delivery to Zak Crawley. In matches like these, where both teams are closely matched, it’s those sharp bursts of skill and intensity that often tilt the scales. For India, that spark was Bumrah. For Crawley, it was just one ball too good to survive.
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