New Delhi: Without Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian team has a different look and feel to it, says Australia skipper Pat Cummins, who also reckons star pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s form would be a key indicator which way the Border-Gavaskar series go.
India have landed in Australia for a high-octane five Test series, having won its last four editions, including two Down Under.
Both teams are also locked in a fight to qualify for the World Test Championship, currently occupying the top two spots in the rankings.
Bumrah will play in his third Border-Gavaskar series and could lead the Indian side if Rohit Sharma remains unavailable due to the birth of his second child.
The right arms pacer has claimed 32 wickets in seven Tests in Australia and would hope to be the team’s premier wicket taker when the series begins in Perth on November 22.
Speaking at a press conference, Cummins expressed his admiration for Bumrah, saying: “I am a big fan of Bumrah. He is a fantastic bowler and can play a big role for India in the series. He’s one of the guys who has played a lot of cricket in Australia,”
New look Indian team
In India’s last two series wins in Australia, Pujara and Rahane played a big part. In 2018/19, No.3 batter Pujara was the star as his patient knocks demoralised Australia.
In 2020/21, Rahane led the team in the absence of then skipper Virat Kohli and marshalled his troops admirably.
But both these veteran batters have been dropped from the side and remain out of favour though the Indian batting line-up crumbled against New Zealand in a 0-3 whitewash at home prior to the Australia series.
“They (Rahane and Pujara) both scored some really important innings. It was always great playing against Pujara. He was one of those guys who never really felt like he was getting away from you. But then he would bat, and bat, and bat, and bat,” Cummins said.
“I always really enjoyed the contest against him. Some days he won, other days I won. So, it’s going to feel a bit different without him.”
Bumrah will play in his third Border-Gavaskar series and could lead the Indian side if Rohit Sharma remains unavailable due to the birth of his second child. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
