"They don't really talk about Jasprit Bumrah" - Nasser Hussain on media coverage ahead of BGT 2024-25

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has observed how Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah seemed to slip under the radar ahead of the first Test against Australia in Perth. Hussain said the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Steve Smith were a lot more in focus.

Bumrah hit top gear on Day 1 (November 22) of the first Test, playing a decisive role in helping India seize the momentum. The 30-year-old took eight wickets in the match to usher the tourists to a commanding 295-run victory and a 1-0 series lead.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the 56-year-old former player opined that Bumrah has every weapon in his armory, but the batters seem to be more in focus in the series.

Hussain said:

"He has that slower ball, the yorker, the bouncer... I was thinking before the game, he was doing the press conference and I was watching, that all of the focus was on Kohli, and Rohit Sharma not being there, balance of the Indian side, Steve Smith, whether these great players will get runs. And I thought, they don't really talk about Bumrah. Maybe it's (because) he is a bowler. Batters are highlighted so much more."

While Rohit Sharma is set to return to the playing XI for the second Test in Adelaide, Kohli has also laid the marker in the series. The 36-year-old scored his 30th ton in the second innings in Perth as the tourists set Australia an improbable 534 for victory and bowled them out for 238.

"He is up there with Sydney Barnes, isn't he?" - Nasser Hussain on Jasprit Bumrah

Hussain also claimed that he has no doubt about Jasprit Bumrah being the best all-format bowler at the moment. He said in the same interview:

"Bumrah's stats, he is up there with Sydney Barnes isn't he? He has popped under 20 over quite a long period of time, it is incredible. He is the best all-format bowler in the world bar none."

The second Test between Australia and India begins on December 6 in Adelaide.