Jasprit Bumrah gets a guard of honor from teammates after scoring 50 in practice match against Australia A.

Friday’s first-class match between the India and Australia A teams saw an unlikely role reversal; as Jasprit Bumrah helped himself to his maiden half-century in competitive cricket!

The Indian spearhead’s batting became a major talking point when he managed to top for the visitors in their second practice match ahead of the test series. Walking in nine-down, Bumrah gave a solid exhibition of his fine batting prowess with some strong-techniqued shots. Alongside Mohammed Siraj (22 off 34), the last-wicket pair added 71-crucial runs to take the team total to 194. 

Bumrah on fire…with the bat!

It just happened to be one of those rare moments of a bowler finding his batting touch in a crunch situation. The highlight of Bumrah’s 50 arrived when he pulled pacer Will Sutherland for a six over fine-leg to get to the milestone. An overjoyed Bumrah acknowledged his ecstatic dressing room teammates with a thumbs-up sign. Sadly, though, his unbeaten 57-ball 55-run cameo reached its end when Mitch Swepson claimed Siraj’s wicket. Talk about an anti-climax!

Jasprit Bumrah brings up his maiden first-class 50!

Watch live #AUSAvIND: https://t.co/7h4rdQDzHV pic.twitter.com/B0wSzob9Qj

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 11, 2020

India have been bowled out for 194 against Australia A at the SCG. The last wicket stand between Bumrah and Siraj was worth 71 runs.

J Bumrah – 55*
S Gill – 43
P Shaw – 40
J Wildermuth 3/13 and S Abbott 3/46 pic.twitter.com/7akVn7fxIs

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 11, 2020

But there was plenty of drama on the social side of things, as the internet hilariously warmed up to ‘Jassi’s’ second-coming as a batter. Moments after his innings’ conclusion, Twitterati had spammed the internet with Boom-Boom batting memes and trivia. Here’s some of the best of the lot:

#AUSAvIND
Bumrah scoring highest run for India in the 1st innings*

Meanwhile all other batsmans:- pic.twitter.com/15wvA4SilA

— Kriti (@chal_chal_away) December 11, 2020

"Bumrah on fire!" "With the bat!" pic.twitter.com/LIUUlQ2gfP

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 11, 2020

This actually came true but in white jersey 🤯🤣❤️
Jasprit bumrah is our highest run scorer now💥🤭 pic.twitter.com/TKT7oc8a4B

— ✨ (@littlebitofnavz) December 11, 2020

vahwa jassi 🔥🔥🔥🔥 #JaspritBumrah pic.twitter.com/D58xeZcfEx

— Duggu (@BarunGirl_Duggu) December 11, 2020

Fifty for Jasprit Bumrah – his first fifty in any form of cricket – 53* from 54 balls including 6 fours & 2 sixes. Well played, Boom. pic.twitter.com/zXL3qAUja0

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 11, 2020

But Bumrah’s Indian teammates’ reaction was much more prominent and fetched a lot of traction. They were all spotted giving their star player a guard-of-honor with their hands. Fair to say, Bumrah’s new-found all-round form augurs well ahead of the 4-test series.

Guard of honour for Jasprit Bumrah for his fantastic fifty. 😂 pic.twitter.com/0zhfhDjkah

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 11, 2020

Bumrah getting Guard of Honour in the dressing room after the terrific fifty under pressure. pic.twitter.com/hIyYrpmHyY

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/The_Rebelllion_/status/1337302025327898624?s=20