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"He's going to be lethal": Abhishek Nayar predicts a Bumrah masterclass in IND vs SA 1st Test

Soumyajit Dutta

Abhishek Nayar and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Abhishek Nayar and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

The India vs South Africa Test series is knocking on the door, with the first Test set to be played on November 14 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. 

With preparations ramping up in both camps, former India coach Abhishek Nayar opined that India ace Jasprit Bumrah will be one of those bowlers who can make a huge impact even on the black-turning pitch of Eden Gardens. 

Abhishek Nayar opens up on the lethality of Bumrah

The Eden Gardens pitch usually displays black soil, which favours spinners. However, recent reports suggest that this time Gautam Gambhir & Co. will be getting a much more seamer-friendly pitch, with spinners expected to get assistance in the latter half of the Test innings. 

Nevertheless, Abhishek Nayar's praise for Bumrah was unique, as he acknowledged the Mumbai Indians star’s ability to outperform even on spin-friendly pitches. 

“Those conditions, black soil, he is going to be lethal. Someone, the opposition is going to be discussing a lot about, and no matter how much you discuss, when you stand and you have to face him, it’s a completely different ball game. When Bumrah is in your attack, it kind of takes away from everyone else, and your focus is solely on Jasprit Bumrah picking wickets,” Nayar said during an interaction on the Star Sports show Game Plan.

Nayar reacts to Bumrah's workload management

Speaking on Bumrah's workload management, Abhishek Nayar was slightly critical while calling Bumrah lucky because of the Australia T20I series. 

“Workload management again, he has been playing a lot of cricket, which is amazing to see. Luckily, in this T20 format (series against Australia), there were two games that were washed out. He will be relatively fresh and relatively excited because he is going to get conditions that he is going to really, really enjoy,” Nayar concluded.

True to Nayar's words, the washout games might have kept Jasprit Bumrah fresh for the first Test at Eden Gardens, where he might be paired with the likes of Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep to spearhead the pace battery.