Jasprit Bumrah defends India’s bowling show, says they are a team in transition

India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah defended India’s bowling performance after the visitors conceded 445 runs against Australia at the Gabba, Brisbane in the ongoing third Test match. Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, picking 6-76 in the first innings as he was once again on the money.

However, Bumrah failed to find support from other Indian bowlers, though Akash Deep bowled without much luck on his side. Bumrah also revealed that Siraj was suffering from a bit of niggle but lauded his fighting spirit. The experienced pacer said they don’t want to point fingers at each other.

Bumrah said in the press conference, “See, we don’t as a team point fingers at each other and we don’t want to get into that mindset where we are pointing fingers at each other [and say] that ‘you should do this, you should do that’.

“Obviously, we, as a team, are going through a transition where new players are coming here and it’s not the easiest place to play cricket. Over here, it’s a different atmosphere with this wicket being a different challenge. So yeah, we’re not looking at that.

“Obviously, as a bowling unit, as I said, we are in transition, so it’s my job to help the others. I have played a little more than them, so I am trying to help them. But again, everyone will learn through it, will get better and eventually will find different ways. So this is the journey that you’ll have to go through.”

Bumrah has been the pick of the Indian bowlers as he has scalped 18 wickets in five innings of the ongoing series at an average of 11.72 but the other Indian bowlers have looked a bit toothless. However, Bumrah defended Mohammed Siraj despite his low returns.

“We have had conversations but this was the conversation he had with me before we came [to Australia],” Bumrah said of Siraj. “I think when we came here in Perth, as well as the last game, he looked in very good spirits. He was bowling well and he has picked up a fair few of the wickets. In this game, I think I’ll give him credit that he had a little bit of a niggle but he still kept on bowling and still helped the team because he knew if he goes inside and he doesn’t bowl, then that team will go under pressure. So I think he has got a great attitude and he has got a fighter spirit that the team loves.

“In terms of wickets and all, some days you will bowl well, the wickets will come as I spoke to him before and some days you will not bowl very well but the wickets will follow. So it is all money in the bank, that is the conversation that I have had with him.

“You keep focusing on your stuff, things that you can control, keep running in, keep having a smile on his face. You wanted to play Test cricket, you are doing that. Your family is really proud of you.

At rain break on day four, India were 180-6, needing another 66 runs to avoid the follow-on.