Former Australia cricketer Brad Hodge called JaspritBumrah “a nightmare to face” in an enormous compliment but picked CheteshwarPujara’s runs at number three as the vital difference between the two sides. The final Test starts here on January 3, with India leading the four-match series 2-1.
“Pujara has been the difference between the two sides. Both bowling units have looked strong. Barring the first session in Perth (where Australia scored 112-0), and Mayank Agarwal in Melbourne, all four openers have struggled,” Hodge told PTI. “So, the number three position where Pujara has dominated, has been of importance. Not only has he not lost his wicket cheaply, but he has also taken time out of the game.”
India regained the lead with a 137-run win in the third Test Melbourne, with Pujara scoring a hundred in the first innings.
“He also negated Nathan Lyon who bowled extremely well in Adelaide and Perth. So Pujara’s importance cannot be ignored. He was left out of the first Test in England, and came back into contention.
“He has not been playing T20 cricket, and instead went to play for Yorkshire. He does the hard work and is getting rewards.” The former Kings XI Punjab coach was full of praise for the Indian pace-attack, in particular Bumrah.
“Bumrah is a nightmare to face. If you ask any batsman, he is one of the most dangerous bowlers to face. He is quick, very accurate and moves the ball both ways, which is what you want from a Test match bowler,” he said. “His economy and strike-rates in Test cricket are already comparing to those for KapilDev, who is legendary in Indian cricket. So to be in that category within 12 months is amazing.
“The Indian attack has looked strong ever since they have arrived here. They have performed and backed up their captain well. Bumrah and Ishant Sharma, in particular, have looked in shape,” he added.
Hodge said that the Australian batsmen have let themselves down with a lack of Test cricket temperament and application. Even so, he added that the selectors have no option but to stick with the same combination. “From a batting point of view, this has been a disappointing series. The averages are well down. They simply haven’t been good enough. The technique, temperament and aptitude to play Test cricket has been missing.
“The problem is they won a Test ten days ago (in Perth). So you expect a lot from this batting line-up, but when they cannot score 200 runs (in the first innings), then that’s a serious issue. PTI