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Usman Khawaja also talked about how he was always focused on finding the space where he could score runs against Jasprit Bumrah.
(From left) Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj (Agencies)
Australian opener Usman Khawaja has claimed that India’s Test bowling attack goes deeper than just Jasprit Bumrah. The Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 is set to begin later this month on November 22.
Speaking ahead of the series, Khawaja hailed the Indian pace duo of Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj. “Everyone talks about Jasprit, but they actually have a lot of other good bowlers,” he told Fox Cricket, as per ESPNcricinfo.
“I think [Mohammed] Siraj is a very good bowler…When [Mohammed] Shami was fit, when he was playing those series, he was a very good bowler…And then they got good spinners lining up, too, which really compliments their fast bowlers,” Khawaja added.
In the same interview, Usman Khawaja also had some choicest words for Jasprit Bumrah. He discussed how Bumrah’s unique bowling action creates a lot of trouble for the batters facing him.
“I mean, when you first face him, it’s just his action. It’s a different, bizarre kind of action as his release point is very different than other bowlers,” Khawaja said. He further explained how batting against the Indian fast bowler only gets better after getting used to his action.
“It’s one of those things where once the first time you face him, it’s very awkward and then when you get a little bit of rhythm it gets better,” Khawaja concluded.
Usman Khawaja also talked about how he was always focused on finding the space where he could score runs against Jasprit Bumrah. “I’m not thinking about where he [Jasprit Bumrah] is getting me out. I’m thinking about where am I scoring runs against him. And I’m sure all good batsmen would tell you exactly the same thing because if he misses, well, then I’m coming and then if he bowls good stuff, then I’ll respect that,” Khawaja said.
Jasprit Bumrah last featured for India during the three-match Test series against New Zealand. The 30-year-old speedster had a lacklustre showing on home soil, taking just three wickets in the first two Tests against the Kiwis. He was ruled out of the final Test due to an unresolved viral illness. Bumrah will now be looking to make a ton of impact in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.
As for Usman Khawaja, the Aussie opener last featured in a Test match during Australia’s tour of New Zealand earlier this year. Khawaja put up knocks of 16 and 11 in the 2nd Test as the Aussies won the series 2-0. It remains to be seen if he can help his team take down India next in the epic five-match Test battle in Australia.
