'Certainly a challenge...': Young England batter reveals plan to tackle Jasprit Bumrah in upcoming Test series

England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith was among the side's best players during the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against West Indies. The 24-year-old smashed a brilliant 25-ball half-century in the final match of the series and was the catalyst to England's seven-wicket win which lead to a 3-0 series whitewash.

Following the match, Smith stated that the ODI series was great practice for their upcoming five-match Test assignment against India that is set to begin from June 20. He added that the series against West Indies and Zimbabwe have helped in boosting his confidence.

"There's an opportunity there to go and play, and experience opening when the ball is still swinging and nipping around against quality bowlers. It's definitely great practice [for the India series]. It feels like we're close to it now, we're almost there. It's been great playing these three games, and obviously, the Zimbabwe Test led up to it," Smith said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

Smith had a great ODI series against West Indies

In the first match of the ODI series against West Indies, Smith played a decent inning of 37 before recording a duck in his second outing. He did end the series on a high note by playing a fabulous knock of 64 runs from 28 deliveries.

"I feel good. Hopefully, the next 10 days or so can go well, prep-wise, and we can head into [the] India [series] quite fresh, which is amazing," Smith said.

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The wicketkeeper-batter also revealed his strategy to counter India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who is currently among the finest bowlers in the world. In his previous Test assignment that was the Border-Gavaskar series 2024/25 against Australia, Bumrah was adjudged as the Player of the Series for racking a total of 32 wickets in five matches despite the Men in Blue's 3-1 defeat.

Smith, who is yet to encounter the 31-year-old in any format, hopes that he gets to bat at the number 7 spot during the series so that he can learn from watching his teammates go up against the India pacer.

"Hopefully, down at No. 7, I can watch other lads go and face him first. [He is] certainly a challenge there," Smith stated.

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The upcoming Test assignment between England and India is set to also mark the beginning of the new World Test Championship cycle so it will be an important series for both the sides.