Pat Cummins Gives Strict Warning To Jasprit Bumrah Ahead Of Border-Gavaskar Series
Cummins gives warning to Bumrah [Source: PTI]
Australia will have to find a way to keep Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah quiet if they are to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, reckoned captain Pat Cummins on Tuesday as he drew comfort from success in last two ICC finals against their fierce rivals.
The world's top two Test teams will clash in a five-match affair starting on November 22 in Perth and India will enter the contest having held the trophy for nearly a decade, which includes winning two consecutive series Down Under.
"I'm a big fan of Bumrah. I think he's a fantastic bowler. Hopefully, if we can keep him quiet, that is going to go a long way to winning the series," Cummins said on the Star Sports Press Room.
"Alongside him, he has got some other guys who haven't played a lot over here in Australia (that) we haven't seen a lot of. We'll see how it goes," he added.
Bumrah has been one of the world's best bowler since his international debut in 2016. Against Australia, Bumrah has a stellar Test record and he was one of the main reasons why India won the BGT Down Under in 2018-19.
In 7 Tests against them, Bumrah has picked up 32 wickets, at 21.25, including a fifer at MCG. He will look to continue the good work in the upcoming series, starting from November 22.
Pujara's absence will give a 'different feel': Cummins
Cummins said playing against Cheteshwar Pujara, whose stoic resistance with the bat laid the foundation of India's away wins in 2018-19 and 2020-21, was 'real Test cricket'.
"It was always great playing (against) Pujara. He was one of those guys who never really felt like he was getting away from you. But then he would (just) bat, bat, bat and bat," he said.
"I really enjoyed the contest against him. Some days he won, other days I won. It's going to have a bit of a different feel without him. Pujara is a great player."
Just like Bumrah, Pujara, too, had a brilliant record against the Aussies. He was their chief nemesis on the two away tours of 2018, 2020, as he frustrated the Aussie bowlers with his resilience. In 25 Tests, Pujara has racked up 2074 runs, at 49.38, including 5 centuries.
(Inputs from PTI)