India vs South Africa: Ajit Agarkar predicts an exceptional Test series for Jasprit Bumrah

At 25, Jasprit Bumrah is an irreplaceable asset of the Indian national cricket team. Ever since making his Test debut in South Africa early last year, the paceman has made improvements in leaps and bounds. In 12 Tests played in his first 20 months in red-ball cricket, Bumrah has picked up 62 wickets at an average of 19.24 and all his scalps so far have been claimed on foreign soil.

A number of former greats have poured their wishes for the skiddy bowler for his quality show and Indian cricket looks forward to a long future with Bumrah at the helm. Bumrah has been rested for the ongoing T20I series against South Africa at home (it is the second successive series in the format that he has been rested now) and next month, he will be playing his first Test match at home which will be against the Proteas.

While many still harbour a concern that Bumrah might find it challenging in succeeding as smoothly on less pace-friendly surfaces at home, former India fast bowler Ajit Agarkar is certain that the former will have an exceptional debut in the longer format at home as well.

“With experience, everyone can see what progress he has made in international cricket. I expect him to do well in India as well. Obviously, there will be times when the spinners will dominate in the series. However, with the kind of unique ability he possesses, I don’t think conditions matter to him. He has the skill-set to perform in Indian conditions as well,” Times Now cited agencies as quoting Agarkar.

Bumrah has played in 38 first-class games in which he has taken 151 wickets at an average of 22.83 and hence is no fresher in demanding home conditions. He has 11 five-wicket hauls in first-class and will look to add to his tally of five fifers in Tests in the upcoming series against SA.

‘Bumrah played quite a lot of first-class cricket’

“A lot of people tend to forget that Bumrah played quite a lot of first-class cricket before he played for India. He has bowled in these conditions with the SG ball. He knows what to do,” said Agarkar, who took 58 Tests wickets from 26 games.

Agarkar also felt that not having played much of cricket since the World Cup, Bumrah will be relatively fresh and eager to perform in the upcoming Test series. He took 13 wickets in the West Indies recently, including a hat-trick and Agarkar said he will not be surprised if he has an exceptional series with the red ball at home next.

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