Sawt Falasteen - India's Bumrah relishes six-wicket day in England Test

Bumrah stood out for the hosts -- playing three spinners and two seamers -- with figures of 6-45 to bowl out England for 253 as India took a crucial lead of 143 after the first innings in Visakhapatnam.

He got key dismissals with his reverse swing to go past 150 Test wickets in his 34th match and surpass his previous best figures at home of 5-24 against Sri Lanka in 2022.

"Today was a good day. I got six wickets but it's not going to happen every other day," the 30-year-old said.

"When the good days happen, try and enjoy it and take that confidence."

Bumrah got Joe Root caught at slip for five, and then brought the house down when he bowled first-Test hero Ollie Pope for 23 with a trademark yorker.

"To get Root and Pope at that time was very important for us," he said.

"That wicket does not do a lot and the wicket was a little on the slower side."

His 150th Test wicket came as he bowled Ben Stokes with another delivery that held its line and rattled the stumps, leaving the captain looking puzzled.

"I don't know what Stokes was thinking but that was the only delivery when I attempted an outswing but the ball went straight," said Bumrah.

"We know how dangerous a batsman he is when he bats with the lower order as he bats with freedom and takes a lot of chances," he added.

"He was a crucial wicket at that time."

Bumrah's exploits with the ball were applauded from the opposition camp as Zak Crawley praised the pace spearhead's skills, despite hitting him for four boundaries in one over.

"Fantastic spell in those conditions," Crawley, who top-scored for England with 76, said of Bumrah.

"He bowled some cracking deliveries and mixed it up very well."

O.Salim--SF-PST