Former India coach Ravi Shastri highlighted that pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been shouldering the bulk of the pressure against Australia’s batters in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On Day 2 of the Brisbane Test on December 15, Bumrah gave India early breakthroughs but couldn’t prevent the hosts from regaining control later in the day.
Bumrah’s fiery spell dismissed both Australia openers, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeny, in the morning session. However, the momentum shifted as Nitish Kumar Reddy’s dismissal of local star Marnus Labuschagne failed to halt Australia’s resurgence. A commanding fourth-wicket partnership between Travis Head and Steve Smith put Australia firmly in the driver’s seat. Speaking on Star Sports during commentary, Shastri emphasised how Bumrah’s role has been crucial but excessively demanding.
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“That is the problem. Every spell he (Bumrah) bowls, he is expected to take a wicket. We are not even halfway through the series at the moment and that’s the problem. We have got two big Test matches on Boxing Day and Sydney, and he looks like the only bowler who can trouble Australia’s batters at the moment. But how long will we see that?” Shastri said.
Australia’s Travis Head continued his stellar form from the Adelaide Test, reaching his second consecutive century by Tea, this time off just 115 balls. At the other end, Steve Smith added a composed half-century, further frustrating India’s bowlers. Their partnership not only steadied Australia but also piled the pressure back on Rohit Sharma’s side.
India skipper Rohit Sharma faced criticism for adopting a defensive approach, especially against Head, who has been in prime form throughout the series. Experts have repeatedly pointed out the challenges of over-relying on Bumrah, a concern raised in the previous Tests as well.
At Tea on Day 2, Australia stood strong at 234/3, with a substantial first-innings total looming large. The onus now lies on India’s bowling unit to regroup and find breakthroughs quickly to prevent the home side from building an insurmountable lead. Bumrah, despite his heroics, will need more support from his teammates if India is to make a comeback in this Test.
With the World Test Championship final spot on the line, the stakes remain high, and India’s bowlers must rise to the occasion in the final sessions of Day 2.
