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Kevin Pietersen prediction comes true as Joe Root record against Jasprit Bumrah exposed
England legend Kevin Pietersen predicted that Jasprit Bumrah vs Joe Root would be the ‘big play’ - and he was right.
England made a great start on day two of the second Test against India in Visakhapatnam, wrapping up India’s first innings for 396 and reaching 114/1, before it all went pear-shaped.
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After Zak Crawley was dismissed for 76, the visitors would end up 253 all-out, with Ben Stokes the second-highest run-getter with 47.
India ended the day’s play at 28/0, with a 171-run lead and both openers unbeaten.
Bowler Bumrah was the star of the day, returning with figures of 6/45, and the wicket of Root proved a turning point on Saturday.
When the India star was brought into the attack, Pietersen told talkSPORT 2: “That’s the big play here. This is man versus man. It is Bumrah vs Root and they understand and know how big that wicket is."
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After an early close call, Pietersen added: “I think Bumrah has got enough to drag him out there as well. Root was down the wicket on that occasion and just came out to push at Bumrah.”
Moments later, Root was dismissed by Bumrah for five runs, and England legend Darren Gough said what we were all thinking: "Straight to slip, Kevin Pietersen just called it."
Root has now been dismissed eight times by Bumrah in 12 Test matches - the most times any batter has gotten out to the star Indian pacer.
Only Australia bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon have dismissed Root as many times or more, although they have all faced the Englishman more frequently.
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Pietersen said: "There's certainly a Bumrah effect that’s happening now with Root."
It continues an alarming start to the five-match series for England's star batter, who has just 36 runs in three innings.
Kevin Pietersen and Harsha Bhogle have heated debate during commentary on the use of a switch hit shot in Cricket
Listen to every ball of the five-match Test series in India live on talkSPORT 2!
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