'He has to bowl left-handed or off one step' - Australian PM Anthony Albanese jokes to appreciate Jasprit Bumrah at New Year's meet

The aura of Jasprit Bumrah has taken over Australia during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The right-arm pacer is the leading wicket-taker with 30 wickets to his name from the four matches so far. With one last game left, the 31-year-old will want to get the better of the Australian batters once again in hopes of retaining the title.

There is still one more game left and as is the ritual both teams attended the New Year reception hosted by the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon at Kirribilli House, Sydney on Wednesday, January 1. During the meet, Albanese joked to appreciate Jasprit Bumrah saying that they could pass a law in such a way that will nullify the fast bowler's powers.

Also Read - Series would have been one-sided without Bumrah: Glenn McGrath

“We could pass a law here that says he has to bowl left-handed or off one step. Every time he has come onto bowl has been very exciting," said Albanese during the 90-minute function.

Notably, the only batter who made playing Bumrah look easy in the last game at MCG was debutant Sam Konstas whose parents were also present at the function with Albanese saying that he would claim credit since Konstas got his break in the Prime Minister's XI game against India where he scored a century.

“Of course, he got his break in the Prime Minister's XI I'm claiming some of the credit, which is about my only contribution to national cricket," added Albanese. 

Though India can still retain the BGT series with a win their chances to make it to another WTC final are looking very tough since even after they win or draw the fifth Test they will need the Sri Lankans to make sure the Australians do not win a single game in the island nation.