Jasprit Bumrah is at a certain level, and the rest of the Indian seamers aren't quite there: Adam Gilchrist

Legendary former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist bluntly said that Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana are nowhere close to the level of Jasprit Bumrah after India lost the second Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, December 8.

While Bumrah is leading the charts for the highest wicket-takers in the five-match series, Siraj and Rana have not been able to provide adequate support. Siraj bagged five wickets in the first Test and looked menacing. However, in the second Test, he picked up four wickets but conceded runs at an economy rate of over 4. Meanwhile, Rana had an impressive debut in Perth but went wicketless in Adelaide, conceding 86 runs in 16 overs.

“Coming into the series, the uncertainty for India was what the support act for Bumrah is like. Siraj and Rana did a really good job in Perth, but they just weren't up to that same level in Adelaide. That still is the glaringly obvious part of that discussion. Bumrah is at a certain level, and the rest of them aren't quite there,” said Gilchrist on Fox Cricket's The Follow-On podcast on Monday.

If Josh Hazlewood is fit, Australia will go back to him for third Test: Adam Gilchrist

Josh Hazlewood missed the second Test due to a side strain but Gilchrist feels that the experienced right-arm pacer should be able to return to the playing XI for the third Test, which begins on Saturday, December 14 at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane.

“That's the nature of the beast. I would expect if Hazlewood is fit, they'll go back to Hazelwood, particularly at the Gabba. I think that the conditions that will suit him. I mean, either way, you go, you know exactly what you get, and that's consistency and an opposing batting order that'll be under threat," the cricketer-turned-commentator stated.

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Scott Boland replaced Hazlewood and took five wickets in Adelaide, causing a lot of problems for the Indian batters. Gilchrist empathised with the former as he would have to make way if Hazlewood recovers from his injury.

“The time is unfortunate for Scotty, but I just love the way he steps up. It is like plugging in a ball machine that's got a setting on and it just cranks up again to the identical setting. I love the way the crowd embrace him and broadcasters. He's just a fascinating story, such a humble guy, who by just going about his day at work, he can electrify a nation and 50,000 people in the grandstands," Gilchrist said.