Australia has been plagued by Jasprit Bumrah in the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25). With an outstanding average of 10.90 and 21 wickets from three Test matches, he is the top wicket-taker. The upcoming fourth Test, which starts on Boxing Day at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), will once again put the right-arm seamer in the spotlight.
Simon Katich, a former Australian cricketer, recently praised Bumrah’s skill and offered strategies for taking on the Indian vice-captain before the much-awaited Boxing Day Test match. The best strategy to neutralise Bumrah’s threat, according to some analysts, may be to play with an aggressive mindset.
But Katich also believed that since the Ahmedabad-born player rarely bowls poor deliveries, it might not be the greatest idea to try to smash boundaries against him. Rather, the emphasis should be on having a strong defensive strategy and rotating strikes, according to the former head coach of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
“They definitely need to be aware of the more positive aim that is being discussed, and I think that’s all well and good. Given that Bumrah doesn’t bowl many bad balls, Katich told SEN 1116 that his goal is not to simply hit him for fours.
You can’t play with any intention if you’re not there after the tenth over, so a lot of that intent needs to be about rotating strike and having excellent defensive skills. That’s what all of these guys have to deal with,” Katich continued.
Jasprit Bumrah is the Asian bowler with the most wickets in Australia.
While everything is going on, India’s fiery pacer Jasprit Bumrah has made cricket history by taking the most wickets of any Asian fast bowler in Australia—53. Since he helped India achieve a historic victory there in 2018 and finished with career-best Test statistics of 9/86, he will cherish his time spent playing at the MCG. With the five-match series now knotted at one, the 31-year-old will be looking to put on another strong showing to help the tourists end the draw.
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