Jasprit Bumrah breaks record for most runs in a Test; Kapil Dev's Natraja shot spurs mind

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jul 3, 2022 | Poonam Nath

Gordon Greenidge's version came to mind as soon as Bumrah finished his swivelling pull-over fine-leg.

Digital Desk: Jasprit Bumrah's magnificent pull was the most mesmerising play in the mayhem over, in which he scored 29 of the 35 runs against Stuart Broad to set a new record for the most runs ever scored in a Test over. 

Three glorious pulls came to mind as the front leg of Bumrah swivelled up in the air and resembled them somewhat. The flamboyant upward thrust of the front leg, which was the heart of the shots, is evident in what happens next. We also examine Sachin Tendulkar's version, which is remarkably different.

THE NATRAJA SHOT

The first resemblance that came to mind is of Kapil Dev's Natraja Shot. The impression left by Kapil's famous shot was not one of brutality but instead of something extraordinary. It wasn't violent, as most pull shots frequently are.

It's understandable why The Hindu's R Mohan instantly recognised a classical element in it and gave the shot the name "Nataraja," after Lord Shiva's cosmic dance of universe creation, sustenance, and dissolution. Shiva strikes the graceful bhujangatrasita Karana dance pose, which is appropriate for the elegant cricket shot that follows the destruction of a ball.

No one was safe from that strike of Kapil's. First, he would balance his weight on his back with a thrilling kick of his left leg, and then his arms would wave across to beat the ball with absolute force. 

The main difference between Kapil's version and Bumrah's was that Kapil would cross-kick his front leg across the body; otherwise, the shots were very similar. Even Kapil referred to Rohit Sharma's rendition of Nataraja as the best he had seen after himself. However, Rohit Sharma's Nataraja lifts weren't as frequent or wildly daring as Kapil's.

REPLICA OF GORDON GREENIDGE

Jasprit pull shot was also similar to Gordon Greenidge; Greenidge's version came to mind as soon as Bumrah finished his swivelling pull-over fine-leg. 

According to all accounts, the West Indian opener has cut the ball harder than any other batsman. However, he also had a very vicious pull.

THE CRICKET GOD SACHIN TENDULKAR'S PULL SHOT

Sachin has no pull shot like Natraja, and it wouldn't be Tendulkar's style to act with such self-abandoned pretension, would it?

Watch Sachin's Pullshots Here-

The pull shot by Tendulkar was a thing of ideal beauty. The compactness is always astounding. He came close to mastering and taming a shot infamous for its inborn violence of thought and sight. The elbows perfectly line up to help finish the image in one tight arc of arm movement as the bat levers back straight, comes down almost straight, and straightens out again. There is no waste of energy. There is no unnecessary movement, including excessive body lurching and head bobbing. Each tiny activity is snugly confined.