Bumrah takes five as Starc's resilience comes to end

In a sensational display of pace bowling, India bowled Australia out for a paltry 104 in their second innings, securing a vital first-innings lead of 46 runs on Day 2 of the Perth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. The Optus Stadium pitch continued to favor the seamers, and India’s bowlers, led by stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah, ensured Australia struggled to recover from their overnight collapse.

Bumrah shines bright with 5-wicket haul

Australia resumed their innings at 67/7, with Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc at the crease, hoping to bridge the deficit. However, Jasprit Bumrah dashed their plans with a fiery spell. The Indian captain struck with the very first ball of Day 2, removing Carey for 12, and completed his 5-wicket haul in style. Bumrah’s immaculate line and length, combined with his ability to extract movement, left the Australian batting lineup in tatters.

 Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah etched his name in the history books during the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, claiming his 11th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. With this feat, Bumrah has become the joint-highest Indian bowler with the most five-wicket hauls in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) nations, matching the legendary Kapil Dev's record of seven fifers in these conditions. Additionally, Bumrah has entered the top-10 list for the most five-wicket hauls by an Indian bowler, solidifying his legacy as one of India's finest pacers.

Nathan Lyon fell shortly after to debutant Harshit Rana, reducing Australia to 79/9. However, a resilient 25-run stand between Starc and Josh Hazlewood delayed India’s march. The young pacer impressed with figures of 2/25 in his maiden Test, claiming two crucial wickets to support India’s pace dominance. Starc showed grit with the bat, remaining unbeaten on 19, but Rana returned to dismiss Hazlewood, sealing Australia’s innings at 104.

See Also: BGT 2024-25: Bumrah leads from the front on record-breaking Day 1 in Perth

Harshit wins against Starc

Despite the Australian collapse, Mitchell Starc brought a touch of light-heartedness to the intense match. During Rana’s fiery spell, the stump mic caught Starc cheekily reminding the Indian pacer, “Harshit, I bowl faster than you. I’ve got a long memory.” The playful banter, stemming from their camaraderie as former Kolkata Knight Riders teammates, quickly went viral on social media.

Rana responded with a wry smile and let his bowling do the talking. His dismissal of Lyon and eventual breakthrough against Starc’s partner, Hazlewood, highlighted his composure under pressure. The lively exchanges between the two added a unique flavor to an otherwise intense Test match.

India’s pace attack, spearheaded by Bumrah and ably supported by Mohammed Siraj and Rana, showcased remarkable discipline and skill, setting the tone for a thrilling contest in Perth.