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As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 heats up with the Boxing Day Test on the horizon, former Australian cricketer Simon Katich has laid out a tactical blueprint for the Australian team to neutralize the threat posed by India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah. With the series currently at a 1-1 deadlock, the advice comes at a critical juncture where strategies could dictate the series’ outcome.
Understanding Jasprit Bumrah’s dominance
Bumrah, renowned for his unconventional action and ability to deliver yorkers with pinpoint accuracy, has been a significant challenge for the Australian batting line-up this series. He boasts an impressive tally of 21 wickets in three Tests at an average of 10.90, making him the series’ leading wicket-taker. His performance, including a match haul of 8 for 72 in Perth, has left Australian batters struggling to adapt to his variations in pace and line.
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Simon Katich shares the strategy to tackle Bumrah
Katich advocated for the Australian batters to focus on keeping the scoreboard moving with singles and doubles rather than looking for boundary options against Bumrah. By not allowing him to settle into a rhythm, they could disrupt his line and length. The former Australian player stressed the need for impeccable defensive techniques.
“All the talk is around having more positive intent, and I think that’s all well and good, but against someone like Bumrah, intent isn’t about blazing him for fours because he doesn’t bowl many bad balls. A lot of that intent has to be about rotating strike and being able to defend really well, because you’re not going to be able to play with any intent if you aren’t there after the tenth over,” said Katich while speaking on SEN 1116.
