Jasprit Bumrah Is A 'Cat Burglar' For This Australia Great As India Gear Up For Border Gavaskar Trophy

Dubbed as the bowler "impossible to face" by swashbuckling Australian batter Travis Head and a "cat burglar" by former tearaway pacer Brett Lee, Jasprit Bumrah's reputation precedes him. The India pacer, who is set to captain India in the first Test of the five-match series starting on Friday, has left both past and present Australian players in awe of his skill and threat. Not since the golden era of the West Indies in the 1970s has a touring pace bowler struck fear into the hearts of Australians as much as Bumrah, according to the local media here.

On his two previous Test tours of Australia, the 30-year-old Bumrah, who is set to captain India in the first Test of the five-match series here from Friday, took 32 wickets at an average of 21.25, including a match-winning 6/33 during the 2018 Boxing Day Test.

Since the start of the 20th century, only two touring bowlers have taken more wickets in Australia at a lower average -- Richard Hadlee and Curtly Ambrose.

Head, Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith -- all top-order batters -- who are set to face Bumrah in the marquee five-match series are unanimous about the pivotal role the Indian pace spearhead can play for India.

"Impossible (to face). You try to feel like you're one step ahead, but it always feels like he's that next step," Head told 'Fox Cricket'.

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

"In big moments you want big players, and I think he's their biggest. You've got your work cut out as a batter. He's someone that's going to be difficult over summer.”

Part of Bumrah's magic is his signature bowling action, which defies cricket convention.

“He (Bumrah)