Having made his international debut in January 2016, Jasprit Bumrah has come a long way. He holds the No. 3 position in ICC ODI rankings for bowlers and occupies the 8th position in Test bowling rankings.
In 2018-19, Bumrah played an instrumental role in India’s first-ever Test series victory on Australian soil with 21 wickets to his name.
As India gear up to take on Australia in the four-Test series Down Under from December 17, legendary Allan Border has tipped Bumrah to once again make a difference between the two sides.
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“Well I am a huge fan of Bumrah. If he keeps himself fit. We are talking of a guy who can win games for you fellows. I worry about him because on our pitches you get a little bit of bounce and sideways movement,” Border said ahead of the series to be telecast live by Sony Networks.
“For India to win, I am worried about Bumrah. If he fires up like he did last time, get important wickets, ruffle a few feathers with the ball, I reckon he could be the real difference,” he added.
“You always think that your batting line-up will get enough runs, you need the 20 wickets to win the Test. If he stays fit, he is the one who is going to be a key. He (Bumrah) is a ripper. Just the way he plays his cricket, always has smile on his face. Lethal when he gets his rhythm going,” the former Australia skipper continued.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli will miss the last three Tests in Australia due to the birth of his first child.
Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma are expecting a child in January, and the captain has been granted permission by the BCCI to return home after the Test series opener.
Sharing his two cents on Kohli’s absence, Border said: “I agree, there will be a huge gap in that line-up — just his (Kohli’s) presence around that team and out on the field. I think the Aussies will really enjoy that they don’t have to bowl to him for three of the Test matches.”
“So he will want to hit the ground running at Adelaide and try and get India off to a flying start and see what happens from there. It’s hard to replace anyone like him. So we have to wait and see the impact it has but surely the Aussies will be favourites for the games where he is not playing. That is for sure,” he further remarked.
(With PTI inputs)
