"India can’t depend solely on Bumrah" - Karsan Ghavri reckons new bowlers will struggle in Australia during Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Former India left-arm pacer Karsan Ghavri feels that India's inexperienced bowlers will struggle in Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Describing Mohammed Shami's absence due to fitness issues as unfortunate, he opined that India cannot depend solely on Jasprit Bumrah.
Rohit Sharma-led India will play five Tests in Australia from November 22 to January 7. The visitors' pace bowling attack will be led by Bumrah, with Mohammed Siraj most likely to be the second pacer. In Shami's absence, India have picked three inexperienced fast bowlers in Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana and Akash Deep.
In an interview with TimesofIndia.com, Ghavri expressed concern over the lack of experience in Team India's pace bowling attack and stated that the newcomers could have a tough time in Australia.
"The new bowlers will struggle in Australia. It will be very difficult for them to bowl in those conditions. Shami’s presence would have been a big support for Bumrah. Unfortunately, he’s not there. India can’t depend solely on Bumrah. Mohammed Siraj is there, and he has some experience, but bringing in two new fast bowlers is not ideal," Ghavri said.
The 73-year-old admitted that Bumrah will be under lot of pressure during the Test series Down Under and will need plenty of support from Siraj.
"Yes, there will be a lot of pressure on Bumrah. He will be under immense pressure, as will Siraj. Bumrah and Siraj will have to shoulder much of the burden with the new ball. You can’t expect the third fast bowler to perform like the experienced ones. If they play three fast bowlers, you’re unsure how the third will fare, so Bumrah and Siraj will definitely have to do a lot of work," Ghavri said.
India's tour of Australia will begin with the first Test in Perth on November 22. The subsequent matches will be played in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Bumrah and Siraj's Test record in Australia
Bumrah has played seven Test matches in Australia and has an impressive tally of 32 wickets to his name at an average of 21.25, with one five-wicket haul. The 30-year-old claimed 6-33 in Melbourne in December 2018 and 4-56 at the same venue in December 2020.
As for Siraj, he made his red-ball debut for India in the Boxing Day Test of 2020 Down Under. The right-arm pacer has 13 scalps in three Tests in Australia at an average of 29.53. He starred with 5-73 in the second innings of The Gabba Test.