[Watch] "Your bowling action is like Hashim Amla" - 'Batter' Jasprit Bumrah and 'bowler' Rishabh Pant engage in a hilarious banter in the nets
Team India's lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah and keeper-batter Rishabh Pant were engaged in a hilarious banter during a net session in Perth as part of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Pant bowled to Bumrah and their duel featured several cheeky exchanges, with bowling coach Morne Morkel overseeing the interesting proceedings.
Bumrah and Pant will be key to India's fortunes during the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will get underway in Perth on November 22. The visitors, except for skipper Rohit Sharma, who is still in India, having been involved in practice sessions for the last few days.
On Friday, November 15, BCCI.tv shared a fun video of Bumrah and Pant's banter in the nets as they turned batter and bowler respectively. The latter challenged the fast bowler to survive his medium-pace bowling.
"Your bowling action is like Hashim Amla," Bumrah quipped after facing the first ball from Pant.
The keeper-batter, meanwhile, took a bet with Morkel over getting Bumrah out.
'You can't get me out," Bumrah proclaimed, to which Pant replied, "I have taken a wicket in first class cricket."
Continuing the conversation, the fast bowler taunted the stumper and said:
"Congratulations on that wicket, you can cherish it, now just stop your taunts."
Watch video below
Bumrah looked at ease against Pant's medium pace. He played a late cut off a wide ball and even pulled a short delivery off the middle of the bat. Pant, however, claimed that the latter stroke would have been a catch in the deep in a normal match situation.
"It is on record now, I have dismissed Bumrah in the nets, you can confirm with Morkel," the keeper-batter proudly proclaimed.
"He did get him out, short ball, beautiful bowling but there is always a but...," Morkel replied with a smile.
Bumrah was, however, not done yet. He termed Pant's bowling action as 'illegal' and commented:
"It was not out; it was either a four or a two. I have connected with the pull shot; he thinks he has seven fielders there. He will not be allowed to bowl."
The official social media handles of BCCI shared the hilarious video with the caption:
"A contest that left Bowling Coach @mornemorkel65 in conundrum. Are you Team Bumrah or Team Pant?"
Bumrah will lead India in the first Test against Australia in Perth if Rohit is unavailable for the match due to personal reasons. The Indian captain has stayed back in India for the birth of his second child.
Bumrah and Pant's Test record in Australia
Both Bumrah and Pant have enjoyed playing Test matches in Australia. The former has featured in seven Tests Down Under and has claimed 32 wickets at an average of 21.25, with best innings figures of 6-33.
As for Pant, the keeper-batter has also featured in seven Tests in Australia and has scored 624 runs at an average of 62.40, with one hundred and two fifties.