Former Australia captain Steve Smith heaps praise on Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah before the rivals are set to meet in the Border Gavaskar Trophy starting in November.
India is set to play a five-match test series against Australia after India has won the last two test series in Australia. Steve Smith embraced that India might need the contribution of Bumrah if they dream of winning the third series in a row.
“He’s a wonderful bowler, whether I face him with the new ball, slightly older ball, or even the old ball. He’s got great skills with all of them. He’s a great bowler, arguably the best fast bowler across the three formats. It’s always going to be a challenge,” told Steve Smith.
Jasprit Bumrah played a key contribution in India’s first test against Bangladesh where the hosts secured a 280-run difference in the match. The veteran bowler completed his 400 international wickets in international cricket, becoming the 10th bowler for his team to do so.
Bumrah has done remarkably well since making his test debut in January 2018. In 37 tests, he has taken 163 wickets at an average of 20.49 with a best figures of 6/27. He has 10 five-wicket hauls in the long format. In 89 ODIs, Bumrah has taken 149 wickets at an average of 23.55 with the best figures of 6/19.
In 70 T20Is, Bumrah has taken 89 wickets at an average of 17.74, with the best figures of 3/7.
Smith has been promoted in Australia’s batting order in Tests since the retirement of David Warner. Smith has played 109 tests and is likely to cross the 10000 runs mark in the upcoming series in the high profile series, having so far made 9685 runs.
With one test remaining in the two-match Bangladesh series, India will play a three-match test series against New Zealand before meeting Australia in November.
The five-match test series will kickstart on November 22 while the second test will be played on a day-night format under the stadium lights starting on December 06.
The third test will be played in the Gabba which will be held between December 14-18. The fourth test will be played between December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The fifth and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7 will give a promising dramatic conclusion for the exciting contest.
