India’s bowling spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, made a crucial breakthrough during the Boxing Day Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Melbourne, removing Usman Khawaja and breaking a stubborn partnership. Bumrah was brought into the attack specifically to get rid of the dangerous partnership between Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, and he delivered exactly what was required.
However, Bumrah’s wicket of Khawaja came in an unexpected way. The ball, a short of a length delivery, rose to about waist height. It wasn’t the ideal length for Usman Khawaja to pull, yet the Australian batter went for the shot, as he had done throughout the day.
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Unfortunately for Usman Khawaja, he mistimed the shot, getting the ball off the toe end of his bat, and it went straight into the hands of KL Rahul at midwicket for a simple catch. Jasprit Bumrah was visibly surprised by the wicket, with the delivery not being one he would normally expect to take a wicket from.
𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙞 𝘽𝙝𝙖𝙞 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙠𝙚𝙨 🤩
Everything is temporary, but #JaspritBumrah dismissing #UsmanKhawaja is permanent! 🤌
PS: Khawaja has been dismissed by Bumrah 5 times in this series! 😳#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 4th Test, Day 1 LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/l26mlyyI7a
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 26, 2024
After taking the wicket, Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t hide his amusement, laughing and mocking Usman Khawaja for being dismissed off such an innocuous delivery. The wicket was significant, not only because it ended Khawaja’s resistance but also because it broke a promising partnership.
Usman Khawaja and Labuschagne had built a solid 65-run stand for the second wicket, and Khawaja’s dismissal gave India a much-needed opening. Earlier in the session, Jasprit Bumrah had been unlucky after a strong start, troubling the Australian openers with several deliveries that beat the bat.
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However, despite his consistent efforts, luck wasn’t on his side until he claimed the key wicket ofUsman Khawaja. On the other hand, debutant Sam Konstas had provided Australia with a positive response, counterattacking with fearless batting, which put the hosts in a commanding position early in the innings.
