Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has said the team will be aiming to tire out Jasprit Bumrah as they aim to take revenge for the 1-2 series loss in 2018/19.
Virat Kohli’s Indian cricket team created history in 2018/19 when they won a Test series in Australia for the first time ever. Cheteshwar Pujara with the bat and Rishabh Pant behind the wickets were one of the key factors. However, it was the bowling trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami that played a massive role in India getting the better of Australia. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma combined to take 48 wickets at an average of just over 20 while the likes of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins combined to take 40 wickets but at an average of over 30.
Bumrah, in particular was the standout bowler from that tour, picking 21 wickets. His nine wickets in the Melbourne Boxing Day Test made him a standout and helped India achieve their first win in Melbourne in 37 years. With Australia now eyeing revenge for the series loss, Josh Hazlewood has revealed what will be the strategy of the hosts to counter the likes of Jasprit Bumrah.
Speaking to The Hindustan Times, Hazlewood said, “Bumrah is probably the standout. He is unique with his action. He maintains pace very well throughout the day, and the whole series. He is probably the key. He can take wickets upfront or with the old ball. I guess it's about getting lot of overs into him, try to tire him out in the first couple of games. That will be the key. They have most bases covered with their quicks. If Ishant Sharma gets here at some point it will add to their strength. They are all a little bit different. For the last 10-15 years, Indian pacers have kept improving. Our batters will have to be on their toes to counter that.”
Virat Kohli’s absence will not be felt
Hazlewood admitted that India’s pacers outbowled Australia in the previous series. Although Ishant Sharma’s fitness is under a cloud, the Indian side still has depth in Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav. However, all the talk is on Virat Kohli missing three out of the four Tests as he heads back to India for the birth of his child following the end of the Adelaide Test. However, Hazlewood is of the opinion that India will not miss Virat Kohli as they have tremendous depth.
“There are young guys coming through, players like Shubman Gill. He might get an opportunity. Hardik Pandya had a great IPL as a finisher in T20 cricket. He is one we have got eyes on. Rohit Sharma - he is a class batsman, sort of a careless guy. Then you have Pujara and Rahane. The top-30 Indian cricketers are here. We will have to try to outlast Pujara, I guess. He doesn't mind waiting for the quicks to tire out. He is the old-school Test batsman… once you are off that line and length, he will hurt you. It will be a challenge for us; don't think Virat's absence from the last three Tests will hurt them that much,” Hazlewood said.
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 "Jasprit Bumrah Australia")
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