Former Australia cricketer Simon Katich advised Pat Cummins-led side to concentrate on rotating the strike and maintaining a solid defence against bowling legend Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming two Test matches of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Bumrah is currently the highest wicket-taker in the ongoing five-Test match series. He picked up 21 wickets in his three Test outings.
Katich also observed that Bumrah rarely bowls loose deliveries, the Australians must be strategically good in their approach.
"I know all the talk is around having more positive intent, and I think that’s all well and good and it is certainly something they have to be mindful of. But against someone like Bumrah intent is not about just blazing him for fours, because he doesn’t bowl many bad balls," Katich told SEN 1116.
"So a lot of that intent has to be about rotating strike and being able to defend really well, because you’re not gonna be able to play with any intent if you aren’t there after the tenth over. That’s the challenge for all of these guys," Katich added.
To illustrate his point, Katich made a reference to Australia's second innings in the third Test at Brisbane, where the hosts attempted an aggressive approach but ultimately lost their wickets.
"We saw it in the second innings in Brisbane. Australians came out with really positive intent, trying to score more quickly and look what happened, 7/80 in no time.
"It's not easy to do against the red ball that moves around off the seam in a wearing wicket which the Gabba was starting to become with cracks.
"The top order has to be very careful and mindful of how they go about it. You’re not going to score many runs if you’re trying to take him on off the length, because he is so good," he added.
After the third Test match played at Gabba, the five-Test match series is currently levelled at 1-1. Both India and Australia will now lock horns for the fourth Test match which is scheduled to take place at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. The remaining two Test matches are important for both teams to seal their spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final which will take place in England next year.
