Jasprit Bumrah ‘impossible, awkward, incredible’: Australia can't stop raving about India's X-factor
Hindustan TimesAustralia will be looking to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in 10 years on home turf, but they will have to deal with India’s best weapon in Australian conditions in the form of Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who was the highest wicket-taker during India’s win in 2018-19 with 21 wickets, will be leading as stand-in captain in the first Test match at Perth as Rohit Sharma takes paternity leave. He’s someone that’s going to be difficult over summer.” ‘Much like Mitchell Johnson…’ Expanding on what exactly it is that makes Bumrah such a difficult bowler to bat against, opener Usman Khawaja said: “When I first faced Bumrah, I was like, ‘Oh where did that come from?’ It comes at you a little bit quicker than you expect because of the awkwardness of his action and how he releases the ball.” Khawaja also compared Bumrah to Australian pace bowler Mitchell Johnson, in terms of the pace and awkwardness of their unconventional action. Lastly, former Australian captain Steve Smith agreed with his teammates, and pointed out how difficult for batters who are set to face him for the first time, or haven’t batted much against him before.