Usman Khawaja reveals why Jasprit Bumrah is different bowler

The 37-year-old senior Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja revealed why Jasprit Bumrah is a different bowler. He also praised the Indian bowling lineup. 

Australia are ready to host the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a five-match Test series against India. Australia lost the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophies, including twice at home. 

While Australia are desperate to win the upcoming BGT, which is also a part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, Usman Khawaja has to play an important role. BGT is set to begin in the next week, and Khawaja talked about the Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

It's a different: Usman Khawaja on Jasprit Bumrah

Talking about why Bumrah is different than others, Khawaja pointed out his bowling action, especially his different release points. 

Khawaja told Fox Cricket, "I mean, when you first face him, it's just his action. It's a different, bizarre kind of action as his release point is very different than other bowlers. It's just a bit further up. So a lot of guys release the ball from near the popping crease. [Against Bumrah] it feels like he gets a bit further out just with his front braced leg and pushes the ball out.

Khawaja has claimed that facing Bumrah for the first time is very awkward, but the Indian pacer can be handled once the batter is used to him. The left-handed Australian batter called Bumrah a class bowler.

The Aussie opener added, "So it feels like it comes out and then gets there a lot quicker than you expect it. It's just once you get used to the action, it's fine. I played against him a lot. Not to say that he can't give me out first ball. I mean anyone can. But it's one of those things where once the first time you face him, it's very awkward and then when you get a little bit of rhythm it gets better. But he's still a class bowler."

In Test cricket, Bumrah hasn’t dismissed Khawaja yet. Bumrah has delivered 155 Test balls, whereas unbeaten Khawaja scored 43 runs, including three fours. Bumrah dismissed Khawaja only two times, both in ODIs in 2019, including during the league stage of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019. 

SEE ALSO: Mohammed Shami's impressive comeback brings hopeful update in Indian cricket

India actually have a lot of other good bowlers: Usman Khawaja

Khawaja also praised the other Indian bowlers, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami. While the Aussie opener feels that Siraj is good to both right-handers and left-handers, Shami was very underrated. Also, he didn’t forget to mention Indian quality spinners.  

Khawaja said, "Everyone talks about Jasprit, but they actually have a lot of other good bowlers. I think [Mohammed] Siraj is a very good bowler. He's a very good bowler to both right-handers and left-handers. When [Mohammed] Shami was fit, when he was playing those series, he was a very good bowler. He was very underrated. No one really talked about him. And then they got good spinners lining up, too, which really complements their fast bowlers."

Khawaja clarified that he is busy finding scoring opportunities against Bumrah rather than thinking about only surviving against the Indian pacer. 

Confident Khawaja said, “I'm not thinking about where he is getting me out. I'm thinking about where am I scoring runs against him.” 

In 11 Test innings (6 Test matches) against India, Khawaja scored 377 runs with an average of 37.70, including one century and two half-centuries. During Australia's tour of India in early 2023, Khawaja finished as the leading run-scorer in the four-match Test series by scoring 333 runs. During the series finale Ahmedabad Test, Khawaja scored 180 runs in the first innings.