Ahead of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja said that everyone talks about Jasprit Bumrah, but India have other ‘good’ bowlers as well. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is scheduled to begin from November 22 with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The Indian team has reached the Australian shore and is busy in practice sessions at the WACA Stadium in Perth. Ahead of the crucial encounter, certain individual rivalries have created enough buzz.
One of those rivalries is that of star India pacer, Jasprit Bumrah and Australia opener, Usman Khawaja. With all eyes on these two, Khawaja has stated that picking Jasprit Bumrah on the field becomes much more difficult due to the latter’s “bizarre” bowling action. It is worth noting that Khawaja has faced the right-arm pacer Jasprit Bumrah in seven Test innings and is unbeaten against him. He has managed to score 43 runs only though, facing 155 deliveries.
Jasprit Bumrah’s impressive test career and his record vs Australia
Jasprit Bumrah made his Test debut against South Africa in 2018, following that, he has picked up 173 wickets in 40 long-format matches at an economy rate of 2.76. The top India seamer Jasprit Bumrah played 7 matches and 14 innings against Australia, in which he bagged 32 wickets at an economy rate of 2.47 and an average of 21.25.
As per ESPNCricinfo, across 7 innings, Khawaja has faced 155 deliveries of Bumrah, scoring 43 runs. Notably, Bumrah is yet to dismiss the southpaw. 131 deliveries have been dot balls whereas Khawaja has managed to hit three fours. Khawaja’s strike rate is 27.74. Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has opened up on his unique experience of facing Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Usman Khawaja is eagerly looking forward to face Jasprit Bumrah in BGT 2024-25
Australia opener Usman Khawaja is looking forward to facing India pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Khawaja also analyzed Bumrah’s action and explained how it made a significant difference as compared to other bowlers.
Jasprit Bumrah, the leader of India’s bowling attack, played a vital role in Team India’s series wins Down Under on the last two occasions. The Ahmedabad-born speedster claimed 21 wickets in four Tests in the 2018-19 series and took 11 scalps in three matches in the 2020-21 leg.
Speaking to Fox Cricket about Bumrah, Khwaja explained:
“I mean, when you first face him, it’s just his action. It’s a different, bizarre kind of action as his release point is very different than other bowlers. It’s just a bit further up. So a lot of guys release the ball from near the popping crease. [Against Bumrah] it feels like he gets a bit further out just with his front braced leg and pushes the ball out,”
The Pakistan-born cricketer said he was aware that Bumrah could get him out on the first ball, but felt it was more comfortable to play him once you get used to his action.
“So it feels like it comes out and then gets there a lot quicker than you expect it. It’s just once you get used to the action, it’s fine. I played against him a lot. Not to say that he can’t give me out first ball. I mean anyone can. But it’s one of those things where once the first time you face him, it’s very awkward and then when you get a little bit of rhythm it gets better. But he’s still a class bowler,”
With Mohammed Shami not available, Bumrah will have to shoulder majority of the responsibility, alongside Mohammed Siraj. Prasidh Krishna has also made a case to play in the series after doing well for India A against Australia A.
Usman Khawaja opens up on the Indian bowling strength
Khawaja added that Australia need to be wary of other Indian bowlers too instead of focusing only on Bumrah, stating:
“Everyone talks about Jasprit, but they actually have a lot of other good bowlers. I think [Mohammed] Siraj is a very good bowler. He’s a very good bowler to both right-handers and left-handers. When [Mohammed] Shami was fit, when he was playing those series, he was a very good bowler. He was very underrated. No one really talked about him,”
Australia have lost the last four Test series against Team India. The much anticipated Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia will begin on November 22, with the first Test at Perth. The second Test, scheduled for December 6 to 10 at Adelaide Oval, will feature the exciting day-night format under the stadium’s lights. After that, fans will turn their attention to The Gabba in Brisbane for the third Test, which will be held from December 14 to 18.
The customary Boxing Day Test, set for December 26 to 30 at Melbourne’s storied Melbourne Cricket Ground, will bring the series to its penultimate stage. The fifth and final Test, to take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, will serve as the series climax, promising a dramatic conclusion to an exciting contest.