As the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has observed a “clever” plan by Australia that could impact India’s key player, Jasprit Bumrah. Doull suggested that Australia’s scheduling decisions may exhaust India’s “biggest threat,” revealing a strategy designed to wear Bumrah down on their hardest and fastest pitches.
Jasprit Bumrah: Targeted by scheduling Tactics?
Simon Doull, speaking on JioCinema, highlighted that Australia’s series planning seems deliberately geared to put immense pressure on Bumrah, starting with the opening Test on November 22 in Perth. Known for its pace-friendly surface, the Perth pitch would likely push Bumrah to bowl heavy, lengthy spells. Doull remarked, “They are trying to cook Bumrah. They will cook him in the heat of Perth, where he will have to bowl a lot of overs.”
He added that Cricket Australia’s decision to open the series in Perth, followed by a Pink Ball Test in Adelaide and a Boxing Day clash at Gabba, aims to test Bumrah’s endurance early on, particularly with Mohammed Shami unavailable and other Indian pacers struggling for form.
India’s Batting woes amid focus on Jasprit Bumrah
While Australia’s sights are set on Jasprit Bumrah, India faces concerns in its batting line-up. Following a disappointing whitewash at home by New Zealand, the focus has been on veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to rediscover their form.
Although the Indian batters aim for redemption, many experts look to Rishabh Pant to perform, as he was India’s top run-scorer in the recent series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Pant, who famously scored an iconic 89 in the 2021 Gabba Test to lead India to victory, is expected to be crucial in maintaining balance against Australia’s bowling assault.
Jasprit Bumrah stats in Australia
Bumrah’s experience in Australia has been pivotal in both the 2018/19 and 2020/21 series. Over seven matches, he has claimed 32 wickets at an average of 21.25, including a memorable six-wicket haul in Melbourne in 2018. In that match, he finished with an impressive 6 for 33 in the first innings, marking one of his best overseas performances.
Tough Terrain and Limited Options: Australia’s Plan Unfolds
Doull argues that Australia’s selection of venues plays a strategic role. In his analysis, he noted that beginning in Perth – a move rarely seen – may force Jasprit Bumrah to bowl extended spells in sweltering conditions, potentially depleting him for the series. “Then he is going to have to go and bowl a lot of overs in that second pink-ball Test match in Adelaide. And then you’ve got to go to Brisbane, where generally, first up, the seamers are quite good as well. So we’re going to cook Bumrah in the first two, three Test matches, make sure he bowls a lot of overs,” Doull pointed out.
Without Mohammed Shami and with Mohammed Siraj working to regain rhythm, India’s bowling attack may find itself under pressure if Australia succeeds in tiring Bumrah early on. Akash Deep, on his maiden Australian tour, could also face challenges, adding to India’s worries as they move deeper into the series.
Bumrah’s Resilience put to the Test
As Australia readies to kick off the series with a plan designed to wear down Bumrah, India’s approach to pacing its star bowler’s workload will be key. Australia’s unique scheduling tactic adds intrigue to a series already rich in rivalry and high expectations. The five-match series will not only test the skills of India’s batting line-up but also push Bumrah’s endurance and adaptability in challenging conditions, where maintaining his form could be crucial for India’s success.
