Srinagar: Team India pacer and current Test Captain Jasprit Bumrah has left legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram awestruck after masterclass show in Perth on the day 1 of the Australia-India Boder-Gavaskar series.
Bumrah took 4/17, leaving Australia reeling at 67/7 at stumps in reply to India’s first inning total of 150.
Akram, speaking to Star Sports, highlighted Bumrah’s exceptional ability to outthink batters.
“Bumrah was at the top of his game, reading the Australian batters brilliantly. His spell was a masterclass in understanding conditions and exploiting weaknesses,” Akram remarked, lauding the Indian skipper for stepping up in a pressure situation.
“He is the best bowler in world cricket in all the formats. The control, the swing, the pace, using the crease, went around the wicket to Usman Khawaja. I mean, he’s just a brilliant bowler to watch. He picked up the batter’s weakness very quickly, and he hardly bowled a short ball, and he realised that he would be expecting a short pitch delivery. He pitched up everything, swung the ball both ways and got four wickets. That’s what you call the leader leading from the front.” Akram said.
India’s batting struggles earlier in the day painted a grim picture, with big names like Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal failing to convert their starts. KL Rahul was unlucky to fall cheaply, while Rishabh Pant’s fighting 37 and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy’s composed 47 were the only bright spots in an otherwise dismal innings.
With a below-par total on the board, the onus fell on India’s bowling attack to rescue the team, and they delivered in style. Bumrah’s fiery spell rattled the Australian lineup, ensuring India ended the day on a high note. Bumrah’s leadership shone through as he not only spearheaded the attack but also inspired his teammates to rally behind him. Mohammed Siraj and debutant Harshit Rana chipped in with two and one wickets, respectively, further consolidating India’s comeback after a challenging start.