'He's their X-factor': Smith, Head, Khawaja and Labuschagne acknowledge Jasprit Bumrah's threat ahead of BGT

Bumrah was the chief architect of India’s last two Test series wins Down Under.

By Salman Anjum - 19 Nov, 2024

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australian batters namely Steve Smith, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne have acknowledged the threat posed by India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Team India are due to play five Test matches in Australia. The marquee series is slated to get underway on November 22 in Perth.

Bumrah was the chief architect of India’s last two Test series wins Down Under. He has played seven Tests on Australian soil so far, claiming 32 scalps at a remarkable average of 21.25, including one five-wicket haul.

When asked about how it is like facing Bumrah, Head told Fox Cricket: "Impossible (to face). You try to feel like you're one step ahead, but it always feels like he's that next step."

"Any format of the game, he's incredible. He's their X-factor, he's the guy they go to every time, and more often than not, he's able to produce for them.

"In big moments you want big players, and I think he's their biggest. You've got your work cut out as a batter. He's someone that's going to be difficult over summer.”

Bumrah's unconventional action made Khawaja wonder where the ball came from when he first encountered the right-arm quick.

“When I first faced Bumrah, I was like, ‘Oh where did that come from?'” Khawaja said. “It comes at you a little bit quicker than you expect because of the awkwardness of his action and how he releases the ball.

“Much like Mitchell Johnson, he had a weird action too. The ball used to come out and felt like it got to you quicker because you didn't get a look at it the whole way. Jasprit's a little bit the same, with arms going everywhere."

Smith is one of the few Australian batters who has an impressive record against Bumrah, averaging 56.67 across formats, but the star batter acknowledged that he still feels vulnerable against the Indian speedster early in his innings.

“He's just awkward with the way he bowls, it's obviously very different to a lot of other people,” Smith said.

“It takes a little bit getting used to. I've played against him quite a lot now, and it still takes a couple of balls to get used to the different rhythm.”

Labuschagne also recalled his troubles against Bumrah and praised the latter for his unparalleled skillsets.

“His run-up doesn’t match the speed he bowls, so you can get done by the pace a little bit if he’s just skidding it through,” said Labuschagne.

“He can swing the ball both ways, he can nip it, and because he’s a class bowler, he’s got a bouncer up his sleeve so he can use that as well to put you under pressure.”

The first Test in Perth will be followed by the pink-ball day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval (December 6-10), after which the series will move to Brisbane (December 14-18) for the third match. Melbourne will host the traditional Boxing Day Test from December 26-30, while the New Year Test will be played in Sydney from January 3-7.

By Salman Anjum - 19 Nov, 2024

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