At Perth’s Optus Stadium, Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the understated hero in India’s commanding victory over Australia in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While pre-match chatter revolved around Virat Kohli’s form and Rohit Sharma’s absence, Bumrah’s phenomenal bowling performance quietly took centre stage, propelling India to a 1-0 lead in the series.
Heading into the series, much of the focus was on India’s previous whitewash against New Zealand and the team’s fragile batting lineup. Critics, especially, honed in on senior players like Kohli and Sharma, scrutinizing their recent performances. Amid all the debates, Bumrah’s immense capabilities were barely mentioned. Former England captain Nasser Hussain highlighted this oversight during his commentary.
“He has that slower ball, the yorker, the bouncer… Before the game, I watched him at the press conference, and all the talk was about Kohli, Rohit Sharma’s absence, the balance of the Indian side, and Steve Smith. But hardly anyone discussed Bumrah. Maybe it’s because he’s a bowler—batters always steal the spotlight,” Nasser Hussain remarked on Sky Sports Cricket.
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Bumrah’s performance, however, ensured he couldn’t be ignored. Stepping up as captain in Rohit’s absence, he delivered a masterclass in fast bowling. His first-innings figures of 5/30 shattered the Australian batting order, while his second-innings spell fetched three more crucial wickets. His overall figures of 8/72 earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match accolade.
Bumrah’s Test career statistics further cement his brilliance. With an average of 20.06, he boasts the second-best bowling average among bowlers with at least 150 Test wickets, trailing only the legendary Sydney Barnes.
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“Bumrah’s stats are phenomenal—he’s right up there with Sydney Barnes. He’s maintained an average below 20 for an extended period, which is remarkable. Without a doubt, he’s the best all-format bowler in the world right now,” Nasser Hussain concluded.
Bumrah’s quiet dominance in this match is a testament to his unwavering skill, proving that bowlers, too, can be the true game-changers.
