Bumrah credits spirited Siraj for overcoming niggle in Brisbane Test
The Indian pace spearhead opened up on a tough first-innings outing for the bowlers in the third Border-Gavaskar Test against Australia.
While the Australian batters set an imposing first innings total in the third Test, Jasprit Bumrah produced a stern challenge with the ball, finishing with figures of 6/76.
But while Bumrah produced consistent breakthroughs in the first innings, removing the likes of Travis Head (152) and Steve Smith (101), the rest of the Indian attack struggled against the host batting lineup.
Mohammed Siraj, who was India’s standout performer during their historic win at this venue back in 2021, was unable to mount pressure with the ball in the first innings.
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Siraj finished with figures of 2/97 from a total of 23.2 overs bowled. When asked of his take on his fellow pace compatriot, Bumrah lavished praise on Siraj for overcoming a fitness barrier to keep bowling in the first innings.
“In this game, I’ll give him credit, he had a little bit of a niggle but still he kept on bowling and helped the team because he knew if he goes inside and doesn’t bowl, the team will go under pressure,” Bumrah said.
“He’s got a great attitude and he’s got a fighter’s spirit that the team loves. I personally love that. He’s up for a fight and always gives his all for the team.”
Furthermore, on the bowling front, Bumrah added, “In terms of wickets and all, some days you’ll bowl well and the wickets will come. And on some days, you will not bowl well but the wickets will follow. It’s all money in the bank.
“That is the conversation that I’ve had with him: keep focusing on your stuff and the things you can control. Keep running in, keep having a smile on his face. You wanted to play Test cricket, you are doing that, your family is really proud of you. You’re doing something that not many have done before.”
Backing his fellow bowlers, Bumrah added that one must consider that the Indian team is undergoing a transitional phase.
“We as a team don’t point fingers at each other. We don’t want to get into that mindset,” he said.
“A lot of new players are coming here. It’s not the easiest place to play cricket. Over here, it’s a different atmosphere, with this wicket being a different challenge.
“As a bowling unit, we are in transition. So it’s my job to help others. I have played little more than them. But again, everyone will learn through it, will get better, and eventually, find different ways. This is the journey that we’ll have to go through.”
Bumrah, who claimed his second five-for in the ongoing Test series, is currently atop the wickets chart with 18 scalps in the series so far.
Opening up on the challenge of bowling over long periods as the Australian batters set themselves in the middle, Bumrah said, “That’s how Test cricket works. Some days you will bowl more, some days you will not.”
The Indian pacer added that while the different conditions across the three venues so far have added to the challenge, it is something that brings the best out of him as a bowler.
“I always find different challenges very interesting…the Test match that we played in Perth, the wicket was different. Adelaide, pink ball, the wicket was different. The ball behaved differently. And here, it’s a little different because the wicket is at a level and the run-up is low. In India, we are not used to that,” Bumrah said.
“I always look forward to all of that, and I always look to find answers. That’s always my biggest happiness. If I come across a challenge, how can I solve it rather than winging or complaining or looking at someone else. I look at myself,” he added.
Similar to Day 1, Day 3 was disrupted by frequent rain delays. India managed to bowl Australia out for 445 but struggled with the bat once more, finishing the day at 51/4.
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