‘The kind of lines he bowled as an off-spinner…….’ – Anil Kumble lauds Shoaib Bashir after his magnificent performance on Day 2 of 4th Test vs India

Former India cricketer Anil Kumble heaped praise on star bowler Shoaib Bashir for his incredible bowling on Day 2 of the fourth Test match between India and England, taking place at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. Notably, the young spinner picked up four wickets on Day 2 of the fourth Test match with the best economy of 2.43 and kept his side in the dominant position against hosts India. England are trailing by 2-1, and they will be aiming to win the fourth Test match to level up the series by 2-2.

However, Kumble hailed the England management for keeping the star bowler in the fourth Test match over Rehan Ahmed. The legendary cricketer also spoke about what England skipper Ben Stokes prompted to take Shoaib Bashir for the India tour in the game. In addition, the leg spinner also talks about the bowling of Shoaib Bashir, which makes him a great bowler in the game.

“Credit to England management for taking a punt on Bashir. What I understand is that Sir Alastair Cook was batting against Bashir and some 20 balls that Ben Stokes saw, prompted him to get him on tour to India. He’s been very impressive. The kind of lines he bowled as an off-spinner, he’s kept it outside of the right-hander’s eye-line,” Anil Kumble said on Jio Cinema.

Shoaib Bashir has got the pace right on this surface: Anil Kumble

Anil Kumble feels that very few bowlers maintain consistency, and Shoaib Bashir is one of them who kept his side in a great position after bowling in the right areas. Moreover, the 53-year-old cricketer says that Shoaib Bashir bowled 90 per cent in the good areas and proved himself to be the perfect example of an off-spinner.

“Very few off-spinners bowl from over the stumps to right-handers these days but he’s been very consistent. He’s got the pace right on this surface. And look at that length, it’s fantastic to see that almost 90 per cent is in the productive area where the oddball will jump. The beehive is perfect for an off-spinner,” he added further.