Australia’s Steve Smith has been under significant pressure to churn out substantial runs at No. 4 in the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy and has shown praise for Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah, whose “unorthodox bowling action” he claims is supported by an “exceptional skill set.” Bumrah was instrumental in India’s 295-run victory over Australia in the Perth Test, taking eight wickets and winning the Player of the Match award.
Smith mentioned that Bumrah’s release point is considerably nearer to the batsman, making his deliveries more cumbersome to judge. “From the start of his run-up, it’s just all awkward. The way he runs in is different from pretty much anyone else, and the last part of his action is unique,” Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald. He accepted the fact that batting against Bumrah requires adjustment: “Each time you face him, it takes a few balls to get into the rhythm”.
Australian batsman, regarding his strength, underlined Bumrah’s ability to make the batsmen rush up and took him back to how he got out for a first-ball duck on the opening day of the Perth Test:. Smith described Bumrah as a “complete package” who can use an array of bowling techniques that keep batsmen on edge. “He swings it both ways, can nip it off the seam, reverse it, and has a good slower ball and bouncer,” Smith said of Bumrah, highlighting how versatile he is as a bowler.
Bumrah rose to the top of ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings – with a career-best rating of 883 points following his outstanding showing in the first Test between England and India. These are the highest-ever points ever by an Indian seamer, surpassing the best points by two of the greatest fast bowlers of recent times, Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada. Only among Indians, Ravichandran Ashwin (904) and Ravindra Jadeja (899) have earned more points than Bumrah.
This is the third time this year that Bumrah has attained the number one spot, having earlier achieved it in February and October for a period of one month each. India and Australia will now play the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Adelaide from December 6-10, which will be a pink-ball Test.
