'Jasprit Bumrah Is At Certain Level But...': Australia Great's Blunt Take On Indian Bowling Attack

Australia's wicketkeeping great Adam Gilchrist has pointed out that Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana weren't up to the desired level in Adelaide to support fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who picked eight wickets in India's 295-run win in Perth, picked 4/61 in the first innings in Adelaide. Though Siraj took 4-98, his economy rate was four, while Rana, who shined on debut by taking four wickets in Perth, conceded 86 runs without taking a single wicket.

“Coming into the series, the uncertainty for India was what the support act for Bumrah is like. Siraj and Rana did a really good job in Perth, but they just weren't up to that same level in Adelaide. That still is the glaringly obvious part of that discussion. Bumrah is at a certain level, and the rest of them aren't quite there,” said Gilchrist on Fox Cricket's The Follow-On podcast on Monday.

He also believes pacer Josh Hazlewood should return to the Australian playing eleven in Brisbane if he is fully fit after recovering from a side strain which kept him out of Australia's ten-wicket win in Adelaide.

“That's the nature of the beast. I would expect if Hazlewood is fit, they'll go back to Hazelwood, particularly at the Gabba. I think that the conditions that will suit him. I mean, either way you go, you know exactly what you get, and that's consistency and an opposing batting order that'll be under threat.”

If Hazlewood comes in, then Scott Boland, who took five wickets in Adelaide, makes way for him. Gilchrist felt it's a luxury for Australia to have a strong reserve bowler in Boland at their disposal to step up in Tests whenever called upon.

“The time is unfortunate for Scotty, but I just love the way he steps up. It is like plugging in a ball machine