Ravi Shastri hails Jasprit Bumrah for leading from the front in opening Test against Australia

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri showered praise on Jasprit Bumrah for taking the onus as a captain in the opening Test match against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar series. India registered a thumping win of 295 runs to register their biggest win in Australia and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Bumrah was awarded Player of the Match for taking eight wickets in the match. The gun fast bowler returned with impressive figures of 5-30 in the first innings to help India skittle out Australia at 104 after the visitors managed 150. Bumrah accounted for Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Alex Carey.

The ace pacer then bagged figures of 3-42 in the second essay. Shastri said Bumrah’s spell with the new ball in both innings made a lot of difference.

“The Test match was decided by Bumrah’s spell with the new ball in both innings. He enjoys the responsibility and is a very competitive and ambitious cricketer. He wants it and believes that he can do it,” Shastri told the broadcasters after the match.

On the other hand, legendary Wasim Akram said Bumrah brought himself into the attack when India needed a breakthrough.

“Whenever a partnership was developing, he brought himself into the attack. He picked up two wickets late on Day 3, and it started the downfall of Australian batting. Even today, he dismissed Travis Head when that partnership was building. That shows how much he wants it,” Akram said.

Bumrah was right on the money with the ball and he was able to get the best out of his players. There is no doubt that Bumrah is one of the best fast bowlers across all formats and he once again delivered for India.

The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.