Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has backed the Jasprit Bumrah-led bowling battery to succeed in the Border-Gavaskar trophy against Australia. Bumrah has scalped 32 wickets in seven Test matches against the Aussies at an impressive average of 21.25.
Furthermore, Mohammed Siraj has bagged 19 wickets in seven Test matches against Australia at an average of 33.94. Mohammed Shami has taken 44 wickets in 12 Test matches at an average of 32.09 against Australia.
Shami is still recovering from his injury and India will want him fit for the five-match Test series on the Australian shores.
“India’s pace attack will be where they predominantly win that series. They’ve got the firepower to be able to do it, but to be able to do it five Test matches in a row in Australia, they’ll have to rotate them as well,” Watson told the media during the launch of the International Masters League.
Watson acknowledged the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja would not be as effective in Australia as they are in India but still they are going to pose a challenge to the hosts’ batters.
“There’s no question, even though (Ravichandran) Ashwin obviously is a ridiculously skilled bowler in all conditions, same with (Ravindra) Jadeja, but the assistance won’t be as consistent as it is in other parts of the world. They’ll still be effective, but how effective they’ll be, that’ll be the test and that’ll be the challenge for the Aussie batters,” he added.
The former CSK player added that India’s batting has got the firepower to trouble the Australian bowlers.
“With the caliber of batters that India have got and the skill they’ve got, there’s no reason why they can’t combine that, putting pressure on the bowlers, score quickly but also not make mistakes.
“India have certainly got the team that has got the firepower, give Australia a huge challenge at home. The last time that they met in Australia, India played very, very well. They will have their confidence from that last tour.”
The opening Test match between India and Australia will be played at Perth from November 22 onwards.
