Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri slammed bowlers after they failed to support Jasprit Bumrah in the third Test match against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane. While Bumrah picked his 12th five-wicket haul in Test matches, he failed to find support from the other bowlers on the second day’s play.
Bumrah returned with impressive figures of 5-72 but Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj could not provide breakthroughs from the other end. Akash Deep bowled well and went past the outside edge on numerous occasions, but he didn’t have the green rub on his side.
Meanwhile, Bumrah gave a perfect start to the team as he accounted for Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney but Indian bowlers could not find a way past Steve Smith and Travis Head, who added 241 runs for the fourth wicket.
Ravi Shastri said on SEN Radio, “They were giving away runs on both sides. Bumrah has done most things right, but I think when you look at the others you think, ‘Can they execute?’ They have to think how to bowl on one side of the wicket.”
“If (Head) has to score, if it’s the offside, then hold the line consistent. Then if he wants to go onside he has to take a chance. When you have someone cutting you for four and pulling you for four, it becomes very hard for the captain. Then when you pitch up he drives you for four.”
Bumrah has been at his absolute best in the ongoing series, taking 17 wickets at an average of 12.17.
On the other hand, Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed Marnus Labuschagne whereas Mohammed Siraj dismissed Australian captain Pat Cummins at the fag end of the second day’s play. Australia ended the day at 405-7 after centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith.
