India’s inconsistent performances in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy have largely been attributed to This was reflected even in the third Test in Brisbane, where they were able to draw it with some help from the weather. But the management hopes that they will find redemption in batting in the games to come.
Jasprit Bumrah: The Lone Saviour For India
Jasprit Bumrah was India’s standout performer throughout the series. He has frequently carried India’s bowling single-handedly. In the first innings at Brisbane, he made a sensational six-wicket haul and also three more in the second innings. His brilliant performance in the series includes a four-wicket haul in the second test where Australia leveled the series 1-1. His five-wicket haul in the first innings against Perth was rewarded with Player of the Match award where he followed it up with three wickets in the second.
Bumrah Conquers Australia
There’s nothing Bumrah cannot do in Australia, and his numbers here only tell half the story. He has claimed 53 Test wickets at an average of 17.15, but more importantly, he tops the Indian bowling chart in the country. For India, in the absence of Shami, performances like Sunday’s at Gabba mean a lot where he has dismissed both Australia openers and also dismissed Steve Smith and Travis Head as centurions with new ball coming into the party with an uncanny ability to make those early breakthroughs.
Brett Lee Lauds Jasprit Bumrah
On Fox Sports, ex-Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who has been touted as one of the best pacers to have ever played the game, termed Bumrah “world-class”. Lee has also opined about Mohammed Siraj, who replaced Mohammed Shami due to the latter’s injury.
“He is world class, Jasprit Bumrah. Unfortunately, they had no Mohammed Shami, but I think the backing of Mohammed Siraj — there has been a bit of conjecture around him — but I think he has bowled really well,” he said.
Jasprit Bumrah Miles Ahead Of Any Other Bowler
“In my opinion, they have an attack that has some good pace bowlers, but the reason why people say or think he is shouldering the whole load of the attack is that he is so good.”
“He is miles ahead of any other bowler, and that is no disrespect to the other bowlers going around, but that is how good he is”, he said.
The Void Left By Shami’s Injury
Shami, who recently returned to domestic cricket after dealing with knee issues, has been struggling to make a full recovery, which has impacted his return to the Indian team. Bumrah’s exceptional form further highlights the struggles of the other bowlers, especially in comparison to Bumrah’s impressive numbers—9.81 against Australia’s top seven batsmen. In contrast, the rest of India’s bowlers have averaged 42.79, underlining Bumrah’s importance and the gap created by Shami’s absence.
Search For The Right Combination
With Shami unavailable, India has been rotating between Harshit Rana and Akash Deep in a bid to find the right bowling combination. Still, Bumrah’s consistency remains a crucial aspect of India’s bowling attack and, hence, his presence is all the more valuable with Shami missing from the side.
