India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, earned lavish praise from cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar after a stellar performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Throughout the series, Bumrah was brilliant, showing great skill and consistency as he finished with a record total of 32 wickets. This not only made him India’s highest wicket-taker in a Test series against Australia but also beat Bishan Singh Bedi’s long-standing record of 31 wickets from the 1977-78 tour.
Bumrah’s great performances came at an average of 12.64 and included three five-wicket hauls; his best figures being 6 for 76. Because of these reasons, his performances earned him the Player of the Series award, which sealed his position as one of the leading forces in international cricket.
Despite Bumrah’s heroics, India suffered a disappointing 3-1 series defeat, their first in this context in a decade. Tendulkar felt Australia’s strong comeback from an initial deficit and congratulated them for clinching the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He took to X to express his sentiments, stating, “Commendable performance by Australia to come back from 0-1 down and win the series 3-1. Special mention to @Jaspritbumrah93. ‘Jas’ is just the best in the world!”
Following the defeat of India, fans, analysts, and former cricketers debated the reasons that led to it. Some felt that the batting line-up was the culprit; others argued that the bowlers were not supported enough. Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan pointed to the absence of a first-change seamer as a critical difference between the two teams. This 3-1 defeat keeps India out of the final of the World Test Championship, for which Australia will defend its title against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11.
