IND vs SL: Sunil Gavaskar predicts at least 2 five-wicket hauls for Jasprit Bumrah

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has made a bold prediction ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka. He feels Jasprit Bumrah will pick up at least two fifers. The first Test at the PCA stadium in Mohali will see a lot of landmarks including Virat Kohli’s 100th Test and Rohit Sharma’s first assignment as captain in the red-ball format. However, Gavaskar is backing for Bumrah to steal the limelight.

Meanwhile, Kohli will be looking to get back his purple patch after missing out on international centuries in the last two years and his 100th Test will be the perfect platform to overcome his century drought. India lost their previous Test series in South Africa 1-2 and four experienced campaigners from the series have been dropped from the side now. The youngsters will now have to grab the opportunity with places vacant to be filled in the side.

He will get you wickets anytime: Sunil Gavaskar

Coming back to Gavaskar, he explained that Bumrah will be hungry to get among the wickets column after the Test series loss to South Africa and predicted at least two five-wicket hauls from the speedster given his abilities. He added that fast bowlers do not like to be kept quiet and will be raring to go hard at the batters.

“Don’t be surprised if you see at least two five-wicket hauls from Jasprit Bumrah in these two Test matches. Any kind of conditions, he will get you wickets at the start, he will get you wickets anytime. So I don’t think it makes a difference,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports.

“Not a lot of bowlers, fast bowlers in particular, unless they are injured, like to be kept away because the careers are short for the fast bowlers, batters can play till 35-40, there are very few fast bowlers who go beyond 34-35,” he added.

Meanwhile, the BCCI has allowed 50 per cent crowd capacity for the Mohali Test to view Kohli’s massive feat of playing his 100th Test.