Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed concerns about the Indian bowling attack’s ability to dismiss Australia twice ahead of the much-anticipated fourth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, starting on Thursday, December 26. While acknowledging the contributions from India’s middle and lower-order batters, Pujara pointed out that the bowling lineup seems to lack the depth needed for a decisive performance in Melbourne.
The veteran Saurashtra batter highlighted the impressive efforts of the fast-bowling trio—Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj—but expressed doubts about the consistency of all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja.
“My biggest concern lies in our bowling strength. While the top order has struggled, the middle and lower order, including Jadeja, Nitish, and even the tailenders like Bumrah and Akash Deep, have stepped up with the bat. However, bowling remains an issue. You need to take 20 wickets to win a Test, and the support from our fourth and fifth bowlers isn’t as strong as it needs to be,” Cheteshwar Pujara shared during an exclusive chat with Star Sports.
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Cheteshwar Pujara also noted the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired, as a significant challenge. He questioned the feasibility of playing two spinners in Melbourne, especially with the pitch historically favouring seamers.
“The three primary seamers are excellent, but the support cast lacks the same impact. Nitish Kumar and Jadeja as the fourth and fifth bowlers collectively do not inspire confidence. It’s crucial to address this imbalance because, without a potent bowling unit, winning becomes an uphill task,” he added.
As the series stands delicately poised at 1-1, the Boxing Day Test promises high stakes for both sides. India won the first Test in Perth, but Australia bounced back emphatically in Adelaide. A draw in Brisbane set up the final two matches as a thrilling conclusion to the five-match series.
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Historically, India has enjoyed success at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, having won on their last two visits. The visitors will aim for a remarkable hat-trick of victories at the iconic venue, while the hosts will look to reclaim their dominance and write their names into the win column. With everything to play for, the Boxing Day spectacle is poised to deliver an enthralling contest.
