Indian vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah appears increasingly likely to lead his nation for this week’s first Test against Australia, meaning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener will have two pace bowling captains on a bouncy Perth deck. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer > Rohit Sharma is yet to touch down in Australia following the birth of his second child, with Bumrah the leading candidate to captain India in his absence.
Not since the golden era of the West Indies in the 1970s has a touring pace bowler struck fear into the hearts of Australians as much as Bumrah. On his two previous Test tours of Australia, the 30-year-old snared 32 wickets at 21.25 including a match-winning 6-33 during the 2018 Boxing Day Test.
Since the start of the 20th century, only two touring bowlers have taken more wickets in Australia at a lower average – Sir Richard Hadlee and Sir Curtly Ambrose. Bumrah returns to Australia as the sport’s greatest multi-format bowler, perhaps even cricketer. He’s a threat in all conditions, against any opposition, in any format.
And for India to achieve an unprecedented three-peat of Test series triumphs in Australia, they’ll need Bumrah at his menacing best. Asked by Fox Cricket what it’s like facing Bumrah, Australian batter Travis Head replied: “Impossible.” “You try to feel like you’re one step ahead, but it always feels like he�.
