Jasprit Bumrah, India’s stand-in captain, showcased his leadership and skill on Friday, spearheading a brilliant bowling display in the first innings of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener at Perth. With his team reeling from a disappointing batting performance, Bumrah took charge with the ball, making an immediate impact and helping India strike back with two quick wickets.
Bumrah’s first breakthrough came in the fourth delivery of the seventh over when he dismissed Australia’s opening batter, Usman Khawaja. The delivery was slightly short of length and angled into the left-hander. Khawaja, in an attempt to play it off the back foot, could only nick the ball, sending it straight to Virat Kohli in the slip region. The wicket was a key moment, but India remained cautious, knowing that Steve Smith, Australia’s ace, was next in.
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However, Bumrah’s sharp accuracy didn’t give Smith much time to settle. The Australian star was dismissed for a golden duck, his stumps rattled by a full delivery from Bumrah on the off-stump line. Smith, known for his composure, was caught in an erratic shuffle across the crease, and the ball crashed into his pads, sending him back to the pavilion without troubling the scorebook.
What a ball by Bumrah… Smith gone for duck 🦆🦆🦆 pic.twitter.com/DMlj49v4lQ
— Randy (@RandyThala26) November 22, 2024
With India’s batting having faltered earlier, Jasprt Bumrah’s quickfire wickets instilled confidence in the side. In just the first seven overs of the innings, he had taken three crucial wickets, including two in quick succession. This strong showing from the skipper gave India a significant lift, and they were now poised to keep the pressure on the Aussies.
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However, as captain, Bumrah must manage his workload carefully. While his ability to take wickets is invaluable, it is essential that he avoids overexertion to prevent injury. It will be crucial for him to delegate responsibility to other bowlers, like Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Reddy, ensuring that he doesn’t shoulder the burden alone.
This series promises to be a fierce contest, with both teams set to push each other to their limits over the course of the five-match series. The battle for dominance is on, and Bumrah’s leadership will be key in guiding India through this challenging campaign.
