Sunil Gavaskar, a former Indian cricketer, highlighted Jasprit Bumrah’s significant contribution to India’s pace attack. He discussed how other pacers, especially Mohammed Siraj, could help reduce Bumrah’s workload.
The first two World Test Championship matches between India and Australia were split. India won the first match in Perth by a considerable margin of 295 runs. Australia responded strongly in the second pink-ball Test, winning by 10 wickets.
Bumrah’s workload is a key concern for India as they prepare for the third Test in Brisbane. He has bowled the most overs (54) for India and taken the most wickets (12). Siraj follows with nine wickets and 52.5 overs. Harshit Rana has four wickets from 45 overs, and Nitish Kumar Reddy has two wickets from 14 overs.
Gavaskar commented on India’s reliance on Bumrah. He emphasized the need for Siraj to improve his performance by taking five-wicket hauls and breaking partnerships more regularly.
“Yes, to a great extent if India relies too much on Bumrah. You have got to say that. Mohammed Siraj is a good foil, but he has to start getting five wickets in an innings. Otherwise, the load is being picked up mainly by Jasprit Bumrah. But if Siraj can pick up two, three wickets, keep on breaking partnerships, then he certainly helps Bumrah,” he said to Star Sports.
Gavaskar also discussed Harshit Rana’s performance. He noted Rana’s impressive debut in Perth but less effective performance in Adelaide, attributing it to a potential struggle to find his rhythm.
“Harshit, the newcomer, bowled impressively in Perth, was not as impressive in the second game at Adelaide. Maybe he just could not find his rhythm, therefore was not bowling the length that he should have, or the line that he should have. But hopefully, he will have learned. And then that makes it easy. It takes the load off Bumrah. Bumrah can then come in, in short bursts of four or five overs, and be much more effective,” he added.
Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh discussed the spinner selection for the third Test. He suggested Washington Sundar as a potential choice.
“If we have to play a spinner, I think Team India will look back at Washington Sundar. Because he played well in Perth and his bowling was also good. He has performed very well in front of New Zealand also. So, he must have felt confident too,” he said.
Piyush Chawla commented on Ravichandran Ashwin’s performance in the second Test. He believed Ashwin controlled the Australian batters and should be included in the third Test.
“Because after losing one test match, if you think so much about it, it becomes difficult,” he added.
Cheteshwar Pujara suggested that Washington Sundar could be considered to strengthen the batting lineup.
“There is no comparison in bowling. Ashwin is a very good bowler. But if they want a little more strength in batting, they can play Washington,” he added.
Ashwin’s Test statistics this year include 47 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 27.25. He has three five-wicket hauls, with best figures of 6/88.
Sundar has taken 18 wickets in three matches at an average of 15.27. His best bowling figures are 7/59.
Ashwin has scored a Test century this year but averages only 18.23 with the bat, scoring 310 runs in 17 innings. Sundar has demonstrated greater batting consistency, scoring 122 runs in six innings across three Tests at an average of 30.50. His highest score is 38 not out.
The squads for both teams have been announced. Australia’s squad includes Pat Cummins (captain), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Brendan Doggett, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, and Beau Webster.
India’s squad comprises Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Washington Sundar. The reserve players are Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, Khaleel Ahmed, and Yash Dayal.