Jasprit Bumrah's spell in both innings decided the outcome of Perth Test: Ravi Shastri

AUS vs IND: Jasprit Bumrah drew praise from Wasim Akram and Ravi Shastri for his match-winning performance in the Perth Test which India won by 295 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

In Short

• Jasprit Bumrah picked up 8 wickets in the Perth Test
• Bumrah won the Player of the Match award in Perth
• India beat Australia by 295 runs in the series opener

Ravi Shastri reckoned that Jasprit Bumrah laid the foundation for India in the Perth Test with devastating spells that put Australia under pressure in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah became the Player of the Match after India took a 1-0 lead in the series with a thumping 295-run win at the Optus Stadium.

After India were bowled out for 150 in their first innings, Bumrah’s five-wicket haul gave India a small yet crucial lead of 46 runs. Bumrah stepped up in the second innings as well, picking up three wickets, one of which was of the dangerous Travis Head, who scored a quick-fire 89.

“The Test match was decided by Bumrah’s spell with the new ball in both innings. He enjoys the responsibility and is a very competitive and ambitious cricketer. He wants it and believes that he can do it,” Shastri told the broadcasters after the match.

The legendary Wasim Akram also heaped praise on Bumrah for taking the responsibility and introducing himself into the attack when the opposition batters dictated terms.

“Whenever a partnership was developing, he brought himself into the attack. He picked up two wickets late on Day 3, and it started the downfall of Australian batting. Even today, he dismissed Travis Head when that partnership was building. That shows how much he wants it,” Akram said.

Bumrah took eight wickets in the game as India became the first team to beat Australia at the Perth Stadium. Back in 2018, India had lost at the same venue despite Virat Kohli’s century, but this time around, they made a stupendous turnaround.

Bumrah is also nearing the landmark of becoming India’s top wicket-taker in Tests on Australian soil. Bumrah and India will be looking for a 2-0 series lead when they face the Aussies in the pink-ball Test, starting December 6 at the Adelaide Oval.