India’s Jasprit Bumrah celebrates the wicket of Australia’s Travis Head on day four of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 29, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AFP

A slow walk gathering pace, legs suddenly whirring while approaching the bowling crease, back arching and the ball being released as if from a high-strung catapult. This is the signature Jasprit Bumrah style, almost similar to the manner in which aeroplanes gently roll before munching tarmac in the blink of an eye and being airborne.

In the latest Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Bumrah has been at his menacing best. Stumps have been disturbed, edges grazed and such is his impact that even a delivery that may not necessarily demand a wicket would still yield one as batters rushed their shots.

Bumrah’s 30 wickets from four Tests

There was theatre when Shane Warne bowled; an equally dramatic rush happens when Bumrah is at work. Great players impose their will on contests. Kapil Dev during India’s 1991-92 tour Down Under bagged 25 wickets. Thirty two years later, another Indian fast bowler has 30 scalps from just four Tests while the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) awaits the fifth Test here from Friday.

Kapil’s was the late wind that lit up a stunning career in its twilight. For Bumrah, aged 31 and with 44 Tests under his belt, this is the middle stage, and his current tally of 203 wickets in cricket’s longer format is bound to quadruple. To bag 200 plus with an average of 19.42 is spectacular. He is the first bowler to get to this milestone while the average stayed below the twenty mark.

Prior to Rohit Sharma’s return as captain at Adelaide, Bumrah led India well in the triumphant first Test at Perth. While the subsequent contests witnessed Australia’s comeback and a series scoreline of 2-1 now favours the host, Bumrah has remained undaunted. Even as a tailender, he has put a price on his wicket.

After castling Sam Konstas in Australia’s second dig at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the speed merchant mimicked the opener’s crowd-rousing gestures. It was a rare hint of raw emotion. When Nathan Lyon suffered a similar outcome, the timber-dismantler just stood and held a cold gaze.

This was the hero in a Wild Western, gunning down rivals with a phlegmatic air. After going through the ‘Bumrah inquisition’ on the pitch, every Australian batter has been subjected to the ‘Bumrah question’ in press conferences. Their usual responses reflected shock and awe.

It is not easy to perform consistently while his regular partner Mohammed Shami is yet to resurface at the international level following injury and rehabilitation. The other Mohammed, Siraj, has slowly found a rhythm to gain 16 wickets. Akash Deep, meanwhile, has strived hard without luck.

All this meant that Rohit was often employing Bumrah in repetitive spells. The ‘shock’ bowler was now doubling up as a stock bowler, and it is a workload that the Indian captain is conscious about. When India strides out at the SCG, Bumrah is expected to replicate his excellence. It would be ideal if the batters too can contribute.

Readers of a certain vintage may remember a Sachin Tendulkar 100 being the lone balm while India lost. Now the roles are reversed. A Bumrah five-for is taken for granted even as the team slumps toward defeat’s shadow. He needs support from the rest of the playing eleven. Even then he will do all the heavy-lifting. Bumrah knows no other way.

India’s batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot in the nets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne on December 24, 2024, ahead of the fourth cricket Test match between Australia and India starting December 26.
| Photo Credit: AFP

A city that can throw up four seasons in a single day, decided to stick to the straight and the narrow on Tuesday (December 24, 2024). Melbourne’s whimsical skies turned a bright shade of blue, the sunlight was of the blinding type, hardly a leaf stirred and as the dry heat rose, a whiff of eucalyptus scent wafted in from the trees of the same name in the vicinity of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Also read:Border-Gavaskar Trophy | Jasprit Bumrah could take a wicket with every ball, says Sean Abbott

In this afternoon of oppressive warmth, while the rest of the city slipped into the Christmas-eve mode, Rohit Sharma’s men turned up to train. Fielding drills happened in the main venue while key batters and bowlers moved to the outdoor nets. The fans, standing on the mezzanine floor, had a bird’s eye-view, and at times yelled ‘Kohli’, ‘Bumrah’ and ‘Rohit’, much to the discomfort of the players fine-tuning their craft.

That Jasprit Bumrah now exudes a rockstar vibe was evident when there was spontaneous applause when he walked in. Prior to this, he along with Rohit and coach Gautam Gambhir had a look at the pitch. Yashasvi Jaiswal, K.L. Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar had their initial stints with the bat.

Throwdowns, spin and pace were all pressed into service. While Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and a few net bowlers provided by Cricket Australia, wheeled their arms over, among the speedsters, Bumrah turned up late and initially preferred to fire his thunderbolts from a short run-up.

Meanwhile, Rohit, who had suffered a blow on his left knee during training here on Sunday, stood for a long time. He exchanged notes with Gambhir and chief-selector Ajit Agarkar, and when it appeared as if he might not bat, Rohit strode into the net and spent a long session against throwdowns. While fine-tuning his defence seemed a priority, the Indian skipper was not averse to loft and pull when an opportunity arose.

A snatch of Kannada too was heard when Rahul squared up to Prasidh Krishna. Most batters, be it Kohli, Rohit or Rahul, kept telling the seamers to focus on the fifth-stump line on the off-side. In between, a fan kept repeating Jaiswal’s name and when the perplexed batter looked up, he was told to just wave his hand once! Hopefully when the Boxing Day Test commences here on Thursday (December 26, 2024) the Indian batters will collectively put their hands up and perform.

Ravichandran Ashwin being greeted by Ravindra Jadeja. File photo
| Photo Credit: PTI

After a long stint at the nets followed by a workout in the gym, Ravindra Jadeja gulped a beverage and had a tiny bite of a savoury to fortify himself. He then walked towards the assembled media personnel on the fringes of the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s turf.

Also read:Ashwin’s wife pens heartfelt tribute after his sudden retirement

It was a Saturday (December 21, 2024) afternoon of clear skies, rustling wind and birdsong from mynahs. Understandably the first question was about his just-retired senior ally R. Ashwin, and the all-rounder replied: “Obviously he was a mentor on the field. We have been passing messages to each other for so many years. What is the match situation, how is the batter reacting, what can we plan against him and so on. Yes, will miss him. But this situation also presents an opportunity for a youngster to step up and perform.”

But was he aware of the retirement? “Through the day we were talking but I never knew. I got to know about it at the last moment when he went for the press conference. I got to know some five minutes before that as someone told me. He didn’t give any hint. Well that’s Ashwin, only he knows what’s in his head,” Jadeja said with a bemused smile.

‘My responsibility as a spinner is more’

Asked for a self-appraisal following his performance in the third Test at Brisbane, that included a none for 95 with the ball and a solid 77 with the bat, Jadeja had his response in order: “If I make runs for the team, then it gives me good satisfaction. And as a player, my confidence will be high. In the upcoming matches, I will try to continue this momentum. Whether batting or bowling, I have to react to the situation of the match.”

Queried about his responsibility as a player, Jadeja said: “My role in the latest match will be the same as my last match. But yes if we are playing in India, my responsibility as a spinner is more. I didn’t get to play the first two Tests here but I practised during that break, learnt about the conditions. I then tried to implement what I learnt in the match. Rohit (Sharma) told me a day before that I am playing the third Test.”

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series level at 1-1, Jadeja reflected on a roller-coaster sojourn Down Under: “The good thing is after three matches, we are 1-1 in this series, and the two remaining games will be interesting.” 

And when probed about his batting colleagues up the order, he added: “When we play in Australia and South Africa, for instance, it is important that we have runs from the top-order, and if that doesn’t happen then there is pressure and more responsibility on the lower-order. But if all of us together score runs then we will be in a good position.”

He then left to join his teammates in the bus. With 3312 runs and 319 wickets in Tests, the 36-year-old has a bigger responsibility now following Ashwin’s departure. And Jadeja knows that.

India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal during a training session at Adelaide Oval on December 03, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

The guardians of the 22-yards that matter in cricket, are often secretive about the surfaces they offer. The Adelaide Oval’s head curator Damian Hough, while believing in the mystique of a pitch, still held a mirror to the turf that would play host to the second Test, a day-and-night fixture, between Australia and India here from Friday (December 6, 2024).

Also read:Alex Carey backs Australia’s ‘world-class’ batters to counter Bumrah threat

Talking to the media on a sunny Wednesday (December 4, 2024) morning, Damian said: “We are happy about where we are today, the compaction and the moisture is where we want it to be. You do adapt every year, get some finer details in. It is coarse matted grass, even grass cover, good with regard to moisture, but dry and hard, so something where the quicks will get a bit out of it, spinners will be able to get some light turn and bounce, but also important for us to get some partnerships with the players and the batters to be able to play their shots.”

As for the granular detail about the grass, Damian was quick to reply: “Should be around six millimetres.” And when queried again about the pitch, the curator remained guarded: “All we do is try and produce a pitch that provides an even contest between bat and ball.”

With all the talk about pace, Damian was quick to point out the venue’s soft corner for spin: “Be assured, at the Adelaide Oval, traditionally spin plays a role and we don’t see that changing.” The weather, though, might queer the pitch and Damian added: “Looks like some storms on Friday. Hopefully it clears out Saturday morning and it should be good for the remainder of the Test.”

Jasprit Bumrah of India celebrates taking the wicket of Alex Carey of Australia for 21 runs during day two of the First Test match in the series between Australia and India at Perth Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Perth, Australia.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Jasprit Bumra who led the India’s fightback against the Aussies on Friday, took the wicket of  Alex Carey in his first delivery on Day 2 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth on Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Australia were 74 for eight (31 overs) after the dismissal of Carey.

With a short time, it was the turn of Harshit Rana to dismiss Nathan Lyon. He was caught by K.L Rahul and back to the pavilion with 5 runs.

After the loss of Lyon’s wickets Australia were 79 for the loss of 9 wickets at the end of 34 overs.

Earlier on Friday (November 22, 2024) the host struggled at 67 for seven after restricting India to 150 in its first innings. Australia’s reply became a hoarse whisper as Jasprit Bumrah (four for 17 on Friday) bowled like a man possessed, a trait he replicates in most contests.

A panoramic view of the Manuka Oval in Canberra, Australia, where Indioa will play a tour-day day-night tour match against the Prime Minister XI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on November 30 and December 1, 2024. File photo
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The visiting Indian cricket team will play a two-day day-night tour match against Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI between the first two Tests of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year.

India and Australia meet in five-Test series starting in Perth on November 22.

It will be first time since the 1991-92 season that the two heavyweights will meet over five Tests in a series.

The Indian team will play a tour-day day-night tour match against the Prime Minister XI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on November 30 and December 1, Cricket Australia said on their website.

The fixture has been added in the itinerary to help the Indian team prepare for the day-night Test at Adelaide, having played one such game on their previous tour in 2020-21.

“This year’s Prime Minister’s XI fixture — which will highlight the strong cricket bonds that stretch back to India’s independence in 1947 and celebrate the nations’ ever-strengthening economic, cultural and community ties — also features an historic first,” CA said.

“While it represents the fourth time India have tackled a PM’s XI in Australia, the event has not previously been fought out over two days, with the initial 48 fixtures (against touring teams and ATSIC Chairman’s XI) dating back to 1951 hosting one-day games,” it added.