"He Is Just Awkward...": Australia Star Steve Smith On Facing India Pacer Jasprit Bumrah

Australian stars Steve Smith, Travis Head and Usman Khawaja opened up on facing star India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, expressing how lethal and difficult he is to play. As India tours Australia, one of the stars that will intrigue throughout the series is Bumrah. Tasked with a mission to help India reach the ICC World Test Championship final for the third successive time despite a humiliating series loss to New Zealand at home, all eyes will be on the star pacer as India's 'golden arm' makes the most of the most difficult things happen, just when they look impossible.

Speaking on FOX Cricket, Steve Smith said about Bumrah that it takes a little while to get used to him.

"He is just awkward with the way he bowls, it is obviously very different to a lot of other people. It takes a little bit of getting used to. I have played against him quite a lot now, and it still takes a couple of balls to get used to the different rhythm," said Smith.

Describing how it feels facing Bumrah in just one word, one of Australia's chief tormentors, Head said, "Impossible."

Head said that Bumrah is always one step ahead of every batter and is the X-Factor of Indian team.

"You try to feel like you are one step ahead, but it always feels like he is that next step," he continued.

"Any format of the game, he is incredible. He is their X-factor, he is the guy they go to every time, and more often than not, he is able to produce for them."

"In big moments you want big players, and I think he is their biggest."

"You have got your work cut out as a batter. He is someone that is going to be difficult over summer," concluded Head.

Opener Khawaja also said, "When I first faced Bumrah, I was like, 'Oh where did that come from?'"

He said that the ball