Jasprit Bumrah’s immense impact on the ongoing Border-Gavaskar trophy led to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese jokingly suggesting a law that forces India’s pace spearhead to bowl “left-handed or off one step” against the home team.
Right-handed Bumrah, widely considered the world’s best fast bowler across formats, has been a headache for the Australian batters and has taken 30 wickets in four Tests.
Albanese, who hosted the Indian and Australian players here on Wednesday ahead of the decisive fifth Test, spoke glowingly of Bumrah.
“We could pass a law here that says he has to bowl left-handed or off one step. Every time he has come onto bowl has been very exciting,” Albanese said in a lighter vein, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“The Australian and Indian teams have already given us an incredible summer of cricket,” Albanese later wrote on social media.
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“When the fifth test starts on Friday, the SCG will be a sea of pink in support of the great work of the McGrath Foundation. Go Australia!,” he added.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir spoke on behalf of the Indian team.
“Australia is a beautiful country to travel, but a tough place to tour. Crowds have been absolutely amazing. We’ve got another Test match to go. Hopefully, we can entertain the crowd,” he said.
Australian captain Pat Cummins, who played a big part in ensuring a 2-1 series lead for his team, reflected on last week saying, “The last week in Melbourne is right up there is one of the best Test matches we’ve been involved with,” Cummins said. “Over the five days, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Looking forward to this week. It’s a decider. It’s our chance to win the series. Can’t wait.”
The outcome of the Sydney Test will determine if Australia will regain the trophy after more than a decade.
In Melbourne, Bumrah became the fastest Indian pacer to 200 wickets, achieving the feat in his 44th game.
