Usman Khawaja was not overly concerned about playing Jasprit Bumrah when they entered the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Australia opener believed that the fast bowler becomes easier to handle the more times you play him. Join the bpexch app for new cricket news.
In fact, in the seven Test innings that they had previously faced each other, Bumrah had failed to dismiss him. But Khawaja said he “was just getting Bumrah’ed” after losing to the Indian fast bowler six times in eight innings.
Khawaja told ABC Sport, “To be honest, I was just getting Bumrah-ed,” during Australia’s BGT comeback in Sydney. “The work was quite difficult.
The work was difficult. ‘What’s going on?’ people were asking me. I’m just getting Bumrah-ed, to be honest.”
With 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 at the end of the series, Bumrah was the best wicket-taker and was rightfully voted Player of the Series.
However, he was limited to bowling nine innings, and due to back spasms in their opening innings, he could not play in Australia’s chase at the SCG.
Australia won with six wickets remaining without Bumrah, and Khawaja acknowledged that Australia felt more assured on a hot pitch after Bumrah was removed from the game. Follow bpexch app for latest cricket update.
“Thank God for us, but unfortunately, he was hurt. You never want to see someone hurt. Because facing him on that wicket today would have been a complete nightmare,” Khawaja remarked.
And it’s clear how important he was to their squad. And it was felt by all. We thought we could have a shot here as soon as we didn’t see Bumrah outside.”
Khawaja praised the fast bowler’s progress since his maiden tour of Australia in 2018–19, calling Bumrah “the toughest bowler I’ve ever faced.”
“He was an excellent bowler [in 2018] and usually good. But this year, he’s been different,” Khawaja remarked. The wickets have undoubtedly aided him, but he is six years older, a better bowler, and more aware of his abilities.
“It looked like he’s just got his tail up.” He has distinct strategies for each person and knows to whom he is bowling. Join bpexch app for cricket news.
“No matter how skilled a bowler is, I always feel like I’ll find something to score off them. I didn’t think I could beat him. It was just so difficult.
Bumrah is the hardest player I’ve ever found to score off and get off strike, and you always get the impression that he has a wicket ball up his sleeve.”
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