Our plan is to tire Jasprit Bumrah out in the Test series: Josh Hazlewood

The Indian cricket team will be fighting against Australia in a four-match Test series from December 17 in Adelaide to retain the prestigious Border Gavaskar Trophy. In 2018-19, India had registered a historic win by 2-1 in the Test series on Australian soil to win the trophy. The pacer Jasprit Bumrah was a vital cog in India’s success in Australia.

Bumrah emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker with Australian spinner Nathon Lyon in the Test series. In eight innings, the seamer had taken 21 scalps at an average of 17 including one five-wicket haul. He had bowled one of the best spells of his cricket career in the Melbourne Test with the figures of 15.5-4-33-6.

The Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood understands that Bumrah can be a threat to their team, thus he feels that the Aussies will try to tire him out in the first few games by getting a lot of overs into him. Bumrah will have to weave his magic again if Virat Kohli & Co. wants to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

“Bumrah is probably the standout. He is unique with his action. He maintains pace very well throughout the day, and the whole series. He is probably the key. He can take wickets upfront or with the old ball. I guess it’s about getting lot of overs into him, try to tire him out in the first couple of games. That will be the key,” Hazlewood said as quoted by India Today.

Australia-India rivalry is up there with the Ashes: Josh Hazlewood

Speaking about India’s pace attack, Hazelwood opined that the pacers have shown great improvement and the inclusion of Ishant Sharma will add more strength to the team. Notably, Ishant hasn’t travelled with the team as he had suffered an injury and is under BCCI supervision in Bangalore.

“They out-bowled us the last time they came. That went a long way for them in winning the series. They have most bases covered with their quicks. If Ishant Sharma gets here at some point it will add to their strength.

“They are all a little bit different. For the last 10-15 years, Indian pacers have kept improving. Our batters will have to be on their toes to counter that.” Josh added.

Hazlewood signed off saying that the rivalry between Australia and India matches with the level of Ashes and India had given a major setback to the Kangaroos by winning their first Test series on the Australian soil last time.

“Australia-India rivalry is up there with the Ashes. India have probably added to it, the last time when they came here and won. That was some tight series.”

“We don’t lose too many series in Australia. That certainly hurt at the time. We know the guys who were in that time. I will remember that. It gives motivation this time around,” the pacer concluded.