The occasion was indeed a “special” one for Jasprit Bumrah as he returned to Newlands in Cape Town, where he had made his Test debut four years ago. Finishing with what could be a match-turning spell of 5/42 in this third and final Test was indeed ideal for him.

One may say inability to make an impact in the fourth innings in Johannesburg had fired Bumrah up, but the India pace spearhead didn’t quite agree with that. “Nothing extra special out of the ordinary. I was just trying to focus on my processes and routine, and what I do basically before a Test or whatever has to be done whenever I prepare for a Test,” Bumrah said after the day’s play.

“I was not giving any extra attention or had been too angry. I was just focusing on the present and what I had to do. There’s always outside noise, but success is a by-product.

“Some days I will get wickets, some days someone else will. We just try to stick to our strengths and make the game evolve around it. Doubters will be there, but I try to focus on what I have to do. So whenever I paid attention to outside noise, it never really helped.

“At the end of the day, I have all the control when I bowl and I try to have my perspective towards bowling. This is what I look to do. Some people may like my bowling, some may not. But my focus is to back my processes and routine, and deliver for my country,” Bumrah emphasised.

Praise for Shami

Bumrah was effusive in his praise for his new-ball partner Mohammed Shami. “His spell was fantastic and it brought us back in the game. At that time, not a lot was happening and he generated good rhythm and had control over the proceedings. He ran in hard and bowled at high pace.

“His control has gotten better over the years and it’s heartening to see his seam positioning, which is one of the best in the world.”