Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah to Lead India's Pace Attack in Absence of Mohammed ShamiWith the absence of Mohammed Shami due to injury, the onus of leading India's pace attack in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia falls on Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, India's vice-captain, played a pivotal role in India's historic Test series triumph in Australia in 2018-19, taking 21 wickets at an average of 17.00.Bumrah's impressive record in Australia, where he has taken 32 wickets in 7 Tests, makes him a key player for India. In the lead-up to the series, Bumrah has been working on his bouncer delivery, which is expected to be a potent weapon against the Australian batters.In a recent practice session at the WACA, Bumrah bowled bouncers at his Indian teammates, giving them a taste of the "chin music" they can expect in Australia. The Indian batters were peppered with short-pitched deliveries, providing them with valuable experience ahead of the series.Bumrah's ability to generate pace and swing, combined with his accuracy, makes him a formidable bowler. He will be crucial to India's chances of winning their third consecutive Test series in Australia.

The Indian cricket team has commenced its rigorous training in Australia in preparation for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against the hosts. The five-match series, starting on November 22, holds immense significance as a 4-0 victory would automatically qualify India for the World Test Championship final.However, the absence of captain Rohit Sharma has raised concerns. While there has been no official communication regarding the reason for his absence, coach Rahul Dravid has expressed hope that Sharma will join the team soon.Meanwhile, a photo posted by Rohit Sharma's PR team on Wednesday showed the Indian team training in Mumbai. The image has sparked speculation about Sharma's availability for the first Test.According to a report in the Times of India, Sharma is currently prioritizing his family as his wife is expecting their second child. "He is doing what any father would at this stage, which is to stay with his wife and family," a source was quoted as saying.Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that Jasprit Bumrah, the designated vice-captain, should lead the team if Sharma misses the first Test. However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch has disagreed with Gavaskar's statement, emphasizing the importance of supporting Sharma during this personal time.The Indian team's preparations have been hampered by injuries to key players. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Shami are all recovering from injuries and their availability for the series remains uncertain.Despite these challenges, India will be determined to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they won in 2020-21. The team boasts a strong batting lineup led by Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Rishabh Pant. The bowling attack, if fit, will be spearheaded by Bumrah, Shami, and Jadeja.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most prestigious rivalries in Test cricket. India has won the last three series against Australia, including a 2-1 victory in Australia in 2018-19.

Arshdeep Singh Credits Jasprit Bumrah for His Bowling SuccessIndia's rising pace sensation Arshdeep Singh has attributed his remarkable development as a bowler to the invaluable guidance of his senior teammate Jasprit Bumrah. The duo's formidable partnership played a pivotal role in India's triumphant run to the T20 World Cup 2024 title, with both pacers delivering match-winning performances throughout the tournament.Arshdeep, who has swiftly become a cornerstone of India's bowling lineup in T20 cricket, acknowledged Bumrah's profound influence in building pressure on opponents, thereby enhancing his own effectiveness and wicket-taking ability."I have had a really good bowling partner in Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah), and he has helped me enormously in taking a lot of wickets by creating pressure from the other end. So a lot of credit goes to him as well," Arshdeep told the media ahead of the third T20I between India and South Africa.However, Arshdeep emphasized the importance of adapting to varying conditions and situations to maintain his performance level, especially in Bumrah's absence during the ongoing series."But the main thing is how well I can adapt to the conditions and the situations of the game, how I can attack the batsman early on and take some early wickets. And even at the death, how I can outsmart them and bring the game back into our hands," he added.Despite facing challenges in replicating his World Cup form, Arshdeep has managed to secure a couple of crucial wickets in the series. With the series currently tied at 1-1, he is focused on refining his approach to help India gain the upper hand in the upcoming matches.Arshdeep's rapid rise to prominence has been marked by his ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and execute yorkers with precision. His partnership with Bumrah has formed a formidable bowling duo that has been instrumental in India's recent successes in T20 cricket.

Nathan McSweeney, the Australian opener poised to make his Test debut against India in the upcoming Perth Test, is eagerly preparing for the formidable challenge posed by the Indian pace attack. McSweeney, who has been in impressive form domestically, was recently included in the 13-man squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener.Despite typically batting at number four, McSweeney has been tasked with opening alongside Usman Khawaja against India. To prepare for this crucial role, he has been diligently studying videos of India's quicks, including Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj."I'll definitely dive a lot deeper into it when I get to Perth, but I can't help myself," McSweeney told Australian radio station SEN. "I've looked at a few clips of what their bowling attack stacks up like. I'm just trying to visualize how I'm going to go about it."McSweeney acknowledges the unique challenges of facing a new bowler, particularly one with an unorthodox action like Bumrah. "Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action," he said. "I've got a whole week before I head off to Perth so I can get mentally ready and I guess it starts now in preparation to hopefully start really well."Despite the daunting task ahead, McSweeney is confident in his abilities and eager to seize the opportunity. "In the last month or so I really feel like I'm batting the best I ever have," he said. "I think I'm the best I've ever been prepared to take this opportunity, so hopefully I can do that."McSweeney's inclusion in the Test squad is a testament to his consistent performances in domestic cricket. He is currently the fifth-highest run-scorer in Australia's domestic competition and earned his place in the side after solid performances during the 'A' matches against India.The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will commence on November 22 in Perth, and McSweeney is determined to make a positive impact on his debut. "There's plenty of learning and experiences that I haven't experienced yet and I'm looking forward to learning all about the challenges of Test cricket and challenging my game against the very best," he said.

Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the media ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, shedding light on various topics. Despite facing critical questions, Gambhir remained composed and provided insights into the team's plans for the Australia tour.Regarding Rohit Sharma's availability for the opening Test in Perth, Gambhir remained non-committal. However, he confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah would lead the team if Sharma missed out. "We will let you know exactly what the situation will be. Hopefully, he is going to be available," Gambhir said.Gambhir also discussed the opening partnership, stating that KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran were the top candidates to partner Yashasvi Jaiswal if Sharma was unavailable. He emphasized the importance of a strong opening partnership in setting the tone for the innings.Gambhir defended his players, particularly senior players who have faced criticism for their recent form. He expressed confidence in their abilities and highlighted the need for support and encouragement.However, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his disapproval of Gambhir's press conference performance. Manjrekar suggested that Gambhir lacked the appropriate demeanor and communication skills for such interactions. He recommended that the BCCI consider keeping Gambhir away from press conferences and allowing him to focus on his behind-the-scenes role.Despite Manjrekar's criticism, Gambhir remained focused on the task at hand. He outlined the team's plans for the Australia tour, emphasizing the importance of preparation and adaptability. He expressed optimism about the team's chances of success and urged fans to support the players.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma's participation in the upcoming Test series against Australia remains uncertain, as he is not expected to travel with the team to Australia for the first match. According to reports, Rohit's absence is due to personal reasons.The Indian squad is scheduled to depart for Australia in two batches on Sunday and Monday, but Rohit's travel plans are still up in the air. Head coach Gautam Gambhir will address the media in a pre-departure press conference in Mumbai on Monday, where he is expected to provide an update on Rohit's status.If Rohit misses the first Test, which begins on November 22 in Perth, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is likely to lead the team. Bumrah has been backed by Australian batting great Ricky Ponting to handle the dual responsibility of leading the team and spearheading the Indian pace attack.Ponting believes that Bumrah's experience and understanding of the game will enable him to manage the captaincy duties effectively. He also emphasized the importance of utilizing the experience of senior players in the team to support the captain.The Indian team will be hoping for Rohit to recover in time for the first Test, as his presence would provide a significant boost to their chances of success. However, if he is unable to play, Bumrah will be tasked with leading the team in one of the most challenging Test series in world cricket.

Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has sparked a social media frenzy with a viral post featuring himself alongside legendary South African speedster Dale Steyn. The image, captioned "Goat," has garnered immense attention, highlighting the mutual respect between the two bowling greats.Bumrah, who is expected to lead India in the upcoming Test series against Australia, has had numerous encounters with Steyn on the field, both in international matches and the Indian Premier League. However, they have never shared a dressing room.Steyn, who retired from international cricket in 2021, holds the record as South Africa's most successful Test pacer. His exceptional pace and swing bowling have earned him widespread recognition as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.Meanwhile, Bumrah is poised to take over the captaincy mantle for India in the opening Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on November 22 in Perth. Regular skipper Rohit Sharma is likely to miss the game due to personal reasons.Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has advocated for Bumrah to lead the team for the entire series if Rohit is unavailable. He believes that Rohit should focus solely on playing in the series.However, former Australia captain Aaron Finch has expressed a different view. Finch believes that Rohit deserves ample time with his family if he is expecting a child.Bumrah's leadership qualities have been evident in his role as vice-captain of the Indian team. His calm demeanor, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire his teammates make him a strong candidate for the captaincy role.The upcoming Test series against Australia will be a significant challenge for India, and Bumrah's leadership will be crucial in guiding the team to success. His experience, skill, and determination will be invaluable assets as India aims to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Jasprit Bumrah's leadership potential has been endorsed by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who believes the Indian pacer has the qualities to effectively lead the team in Rohit Sharma's absence.With Rohit Sharma's availability for the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth uncertain due to personal reasons, Bumrah emerges as a strong candidate to captain India. Ponting, who has witnessed Bumrah's leadership skills firsthand during the rescheduled fifth Test against England at Edgbaston, acknowledges the challenges of captaincy, especially for a bowler.However, Ponting draws parallels to Pat Cummins, the Australian Test captain, who has successfully balanced his bowling responsibilities with leadership duties. He emphasizes that experienced players like Bumrah understand when to bowl and when to rest, and often thrive under pressure and responsibility."Guys like that tend to thrive on the extra pressure and the responsibility," Ponting said. "He's always been the leader of the attack for a long time anyway. Whether that's red ball, T20, or ODIs, he's the main man."Ponting also highlights the presence of senior players like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant in the Indian team, who can provide valuable guidance to Bumrah."In that Indian team, there's a lot of experience around him," Ponting said. "And it's really important, I think, that you use the experience around you even when you are the captain, and just ask the appropriate questions at the right time."Ponting shares his own experience as Australia's Test captain, emphasizing the importance of seeking advice from experienced teammates. He credits Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, and Justin Langer as valuable sources of guidance during his captaincy."I liked to ask the questions of Gilchrist, Hayden, and Langer," Ponting said. "Ask them where they thought the game was, and what we needed to do. At the end of the day, as a captain, you're the one that's making that final decision, but whatever advice you can get along the way can only be good."With his experience, leadership qualities, and the support of senior players, Jasprit Bumrah is well-positioned to lead the Indian cricket team in Rohit Sharma's absence.

Ahead of the highly anticipated five-match Test series between India and Australia, Pakistan's interim head coach Jason Gillespie has drawn comparisons between star pacers Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah. Gillespie, a former Australia pacer, emphasized the similarities in their relentless approach and ability to create wickets when others struggle.Gillespie highlighted the relentless nature of Cummins and Bumrah, who consistently attack batters with challenging lines and lengths. He praised their ability to ask questions of batsmen's technique and force them into making mistakes."Their major strength is they are pretty relentless in attacking the batters," Gillespie said. "They have a good pace, bowl challenging lines and lengths. They are always asking questions about batsmen's technique. They are always making sure that the batsman has to make good decisions or they will get themselves out."Gillespie also acknowledged the unique ability of Cummins and Bumrah to produce unplayable deliveries, whether through late swing, extra pace, or unpredictable movement off the surface. He described their knack for creating wickets out of seemingly nothing as a rare and valuable asset."They just have a knack for creating a wicket when there doesn't seem to be a wicket," Gillespie said. "They just create opportunities seemingly out of nowhere."With India missing the services of injured pacer Mohammed Shami, Gillespie believes Bumrah holds the key for the visitors. He praised Bumrah's importance in the current Indian Test set-up and highlighted his ability to lead the bowling attack."Mohammed Siraj is a nice bowler, he bowled some pretty good spells the last time he was here," Gillespie said. "But I still think the key bowler for India is Bumrah."Gillespie also commented on the venue for the series opener in Perth, describing it as a fast and bouncy track that will challenge batters early on but play well as the match progresses.