Former India cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has shared his views on the on-field battle between Jasprit Bumrah and James Anderson during the Lord’s Test. He said that Bumrah’s bouncer barrage to Anderson on Day 3 was quite “unlike him” and stated that it was probably part of Virat Kohli’s plan as well.

However, James Anderson faced 10 deliveries off Jasprit Bumrah in a single over (four no-balls), which included four yorkers and six short-balls as well. And, the veteran pacer was seen in a verbal spat with Bumrah while the two teams walked back to the pavilion after the day’s play. The incident, however, didn’t go down well as the Indians eventually win on the final day by 151 runs as well.

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While writing in his column for The Hindustan Times, Sanjay Manjrekar said: “When, out of the blue, Jasprit Bumrah started a relentless attack of short balls aimed into the body of no 11 Jimmy Anderson. It was very un-Bumrah like. Normally you would expect him to bowl a fast, full delivery into the stumps to Anderson to finish off the innings quickly like he did in the first. I am guessing this was Virat Kohli’s plan executed by Bumrah. Go after the main guy in the opposition, soften him up a little, stir him up a bit or maybe injure him in a way that the main English weapon was blunted.”

Sanjay Manjrekar, however, applauded Virat Kohli for that as according to him that hurt Anderson’s ego. Manjrekar also said that it’s Virat Kohli’s “great attribute” to play a fearless brand of cricket. The third Test between India and England will begin from August 25 at Headingley, Leeds.

He continued: “Whatever the reason, I just loved it. Why? Because right through my playing career no captain of mine – barring one – did this to any opposition fast bowler fearing the backlash. This is Virat’s great attribute. He is genuinely aggressive and fearless and he is in your face. His team may not be as demonstrative of this trait, but they are bound to imbibe some of it. At the end of Day 3, while walking out you could see Anderson was genuinely affected. He had lost his calm as a competitor. It seemed to me his ego was bruised a little.”

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Sanjay Manjrekar concluded: “Rohit Sharma and K L Rahul, who both play all white ball cricket there is, showed brilliant defensive play, the absolute opposite of T20 batting–a still bat in defence, leaving balls outside off and spending hours at the crease at a strike rate of 20….India have found in Rohit and Rahul two unexpectedly huge bonuses. England haven’t found any yet.”