Team India's stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah on Thursday said that the team has moved past their surprising 0-3 loss to New Zealand at home and is focusing on the challenging Test series against Australia. Bumrah replaced Rohit Sharma as skipper for the series opener as Rohit missed the test due to the birth of his baby boy. We don't see bowlers taking up the captaincy role, Bumrah feels they are 'tactically better' than batters, and hence, should be given leadership responsibilities more often.

"It is an honour. I have my own style. Virat was different, Rohit was different. and I have my own way. It is a privilege. I don't take it as a position. I love taking responsibility. I spoke with Rohit earlier. But I got a little bit of clarity on leading the side after coming in here," Bumrah said in the press conference on the eve of the start of the Perth Test.

See Also:- “Pacers leading teams should happen more”: Pat Cummins

The Pacer further added while speaking about bowlers leading the team, "I have always advocated for pacers being captains. They are tactically better. Pat has done a phenomenal job. There are a lot of models in the past as well. Kapil Dev and lot of other captains in the past. Hopefully a start of a new tradition."

 

 

 

 

 

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"When you win you start from zero but when you lose, then also you also start from zero. We are not carrying any baggage from India. Yes, we have our learnings from the New Zealand series but those were different conditions and our results here have been different" said Bumrah who will lead the side in the opening Test in the absence of Rohit Sharma who is currently on Paternity leave.

Bumrah also said that the Team has finalised their Playing XI but he will reveal it at the toss.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) brings together the best players from Australia and India for a highly anticipated Test series. Several players have made their mark on the rivalry's history with match-winning performances over the years.

Regarding bowling, various notable bowlers from India and Australia have turned the contest around throughout the years in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Here's a list of the top five memorable bowling displays by the Indian roster in the down under, through the timelines of this highly acclaimed bilateral red-ball series.

Kapil Dev: 8/106 in Adelaide 1985-86

Kapil Dev's 8/106 in the 1985 Adelaide Test is still the finest Test bowling performance by an Indian bowler in Australia. Kapil bowled with remarkable control against a rigid Australian batting order, limiting them to just 381 runs in the first innings. He was known for his accurate seam movement and swing bowling, which made Australian hitters nervous.

The furious fast bowler removed practically every Australian batter and stood out for a solitary performance that placed India in a position to win the Test. Despite India taking the lead with a commanding 520/10 as a response, the match finished in a tie, with Kapil named the man of the match.

Anil Kumble: 8/141 in Sydney 2003-04

Anil Kumble was famed for his never-say-die mentality, and his 8/141 spell in Sydney in 2004 demonstrates his perseverance. Bowling on a flat Sydney field, Australia had already scored a staggering 474 in response to India's 705. Kumble's spell came on a track that gave nothing to the bowlers, but he still made an impression.

He broke vital partnerships and continued to chip away at Australia's batting order. While the game ended in a tie, Kumble's eight wickets were the most important in preventing Australia from running away with it. His performance demonstrated his ability to bear the brunt of India's bowling assault, particularly in difficult international circumstances.

Ajit Agarkar: 6/41 in Adelaide 2003-04

Ajit Agarkar recorded a career-best performance of 6 for 41 in the 2003 Adelaide Test, which proved crucial in India's memorable four-wicket victory. His wickets included Ricky Ponting, whose departure for a duck was critical in shattering the opposition's resistance.

Agarkar's famous session is sometimes overlooked by Rahul Dravid's superb 233 in the same game, but it was his bowling that secured India's rare overseas victory.

Also Read: Top 5 Indian Batting Innings from the BGT played in Australia

Mohammed Siraj: 5/73 in Brisbane 2020-21

Mohammed Siraj's 5/73 in Australia's second innings was his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, coming in only his third outing. Siraj, despite having little experience, led an injury-depleted Indian bowling attack that lacked seasoned bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ravichandran Ashwin and up to the task by bowling with control and aggressiveness.

Siraj's success came despite personal sadness, as he had lost his father during the tour but elected to remain in Australia to serve on national service. Siraj's accomplishment reflected India's perseverance and depth. Siraj's victory exemplified India's squad's tenacity and depth throughout the victorious 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. 

Jasprit Bumrah: 6/33 in Melbourne 2018-19

In 2018, Jasprit Bumrah led India to their first-ever victory in a Boxing Day Test Down Under. The right-arm seamer took 6/33 as Australia were bowled out for 151 in response to India's 443/7 declaration. This spell contained everything. There were seamed-up deliveries, bouncers, yorkers, and Shaun Marsh's famed slow yorker.

This display of "complete fast bowling" by the world-class seamer who deserved to seal the first rank of the bowlers' roster at that time. These are still the best Test figures by an Indian at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Bumrah also took three wickets in the 2nd innings, with Australia failing to chase 399.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will begin on November 22nd in the Optus Stadium in Perth. India, who have won the last four BGTs, is up against a home team eager to end their winning streak. Rohit Sharma's unavailability will be felt, as Jasprit Bumrah leads the Indian team. 
Let's check out Three key player battles to watch include:

Jasprit Bumrah vs Travis Head: 

Jasprit Bumrah, India's top fast bowler, will face Travis Head, Australia's in-form batter. Head has a long history of troubling Indian bowlers, so Bumrah will have to be at his best to contain him. Bumrah's unique action and capacity to generate reverse swing may be the key to dismissing Head cheaply. Travis Head's Test cricket career has been significantly impacted by Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed him twice during their encounters. Despite this, Head has scored 50 runs off 126 balls against Bumrah, averaging 25.

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Starc:

Virat Kohli, an experienced and successful Indian batter, will compete against Mitchell Starc, Australia's top fast bowler. Starc is known for extracting speed and bounce from perhaps the most benign pitches, making him an uphill battle for Kohli. Mitchell Starc dismissed Virat Kohli four times in Test cricket matches. Notably, Kohli has still scored 236 runs off 394 balls against Starc, with an impressive average of 59. This suggests that, despite being dismissed four times, Kohli always performed well against Starc, demonstrating his versatility and batsmanship.

Ravindra Jadeja vs Steve Smith:

Ravindra Jadeja, India's veteran off-spinner, will face off against Steve Smith, Australia's experienced and successful batter. Smith is known for his history of handling Jadeja well, but Jadeja has been developing his variations and can be unpredictable. The duel between these two will be critical in determining the series' outcome, as both players have the ability to change the game with a few well-placed deliveries completely. Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Steve Smith eight times in Test cricket. Despite this, Smith has scored 270 runs from 735 balls, averaging 33.

Pat Cummins vs KL Rahul:

In the absence of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul will open the batting against Pat Cummins. His biggest challenge will be Pat Cummins, who is tall and fast. The Australian speedster hasn't been at his best in a few months, and the same is true for the struggling KL Rahul. Both players will attempt to get on top of each other. KL Rahul has been dismissed twice by Pat Cummins in Test matches. Nonetheless, he has managed to score a respectable 80 runs off 157 balls against Cummins. His batting average of 40 and strike rate of 51 show his ability to counter Cummins' bowling.

Marnus Labuschagne vs Ravindra Jadeja:

The battle between Marnus Labuschagne and Ravindra Jadeja will be crucial in determining the series' outcome. Labuschagne's adaptability to different bowling styles will be tested against Jadeja's spin. Jadeja's experience and skill will make it difficult for Labuschagne to score freely, making this a battle to remember. Ravindra Jadeja knocked out Marnus Labuschagne five times in Test cricket, while Labuschagne has 99 runs off 301 balls at an average of 19 and a strike rate of 32.

India is all set to clash off against Australia in the first of the five-match Border Gavaskar 2024-25 Test series at the Optuis Stadium in Perth on November 22. India will be without the services of their frontline skipper Rohit Sharma who has decided to stay back and opt out of the first Test after the birth of his second child. Rohit had previously informed the BCCI of his decision to make himself available for the first Test since he understandably wanted to spend quality time with his family and celebrate the monumental occasion with them. 

In his absence, India's vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah will fill in his shoes and lead the India side in the first Test. Bumrah has only captained India in on Test match so far which ended in a defeat against England in 2022. After being weakened by a horror Test series whitewash at home against New Zealand, Bumrah is expected to have a lot of burden on his shoulders and his fans would expect noting less as India looks to make a comeback from behind.

1983 WC winning player remains hopeful of Bumrah's captaincy 

Despite having limited expereince as a skipper, former Indian and World Cup match-winning player Kirti Azad came out in support of the speedster and stressed that no player in the squad is indispensable. Although he feels that Rohit's absense is more than likely to hurt Team India in this crucial Perth Test, Kirti has immense faith in Bumrah leadership skills and expects him to deliver the best. 

"Nobody is weak or strong by one player. But yes, Rohit, beiing the captain, has led from the front, he will be missed."

Currently aging 30, Bumrah will have to play a balancing act as he will need to manage the dual responsibilities of performing as a frontline seamer and the team's captain in Rohit's absense. Moreover, Kirti also lauds Bumrah's exceptional bowling skills and considers him as one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket. 

"I would say that yes, he's a sensible player. That's why he's got so many wickets. He's one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world. I'm sure he'll captain well."

Build up to the Perth Test

Rohit's poor show with the bat in recent times has been a cause for concern. Apart from the Bangladesh Test series, Rohit's numbers paint an alarming picture. the 37-year-old only managed 91 runs across three Tests against New Zealand at an average of less than 30.

On the other hand, Bumrah has been amongst the wickets off late and has been in destructive form in the Bangladesh Test series where he regularly knocked off the poles of the Bangladeshi batters. However, the 30-year-old went off colour and experienced a rare rough patch against the Black Caps at home where he only managed three wickets in the two Tests.  

See also: Watch: Virat Kohli and Rishab Pant burst into laughter as Sarfaraz Khan makes a fielding blooper

Veteran Australian batter Travis Head has applauded star India pacer Jasprit Bumrah as India's X-factor and one of the most challenging bowlers to play across all formats. With Rohit Sharma yet to join the team for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener, Bumrah will lead India in the first Test. This would mark the second time when Jasprit Bumrah leads India in Test cricket, the first being against England in 2021 as well. Despite limited captaincy experience, his skills with the ball remain Australia's primary concern.

Jasprit Bumrah to play a key role for India

The speedster, known for his lethal yorkers, and ability to swing the ball both ways, has troubled every batter in all conditions. His Test record in Australia is pretty impressive, with 32 wickets in 7 matches which came at an average of 21.25. Head also referred to Bumrah as "impossible" to predict, lauding his ability to stay ahead of batters.

"You try to feel like you're one step ahead, but it always feels like he's that next step," Head said while speaking to Fox Cricket. "Any format of the game, he's incredible. In big moments you want big players, and I think he's their biggest. You've got your work cut out as a batter," Head added.

Meanwhile, opener Usman Khawaja also backed Head, recalling his first encounter with Bumrah's deceptive action.

SEE ALSO: 'Gautam Gambhir is already frightened' - Ricky Ponting takes a fresh jibe ahead of BGT

"When I first faced Bumrah, I was like, 'Oh where did that come from?' It comes at you a little bit quicker than you expect because of the awkwardness of his action and how he releases the ball," Khawaja said. "Much like Mitchell Johnson, he had a weird action too. The ball used to come out and felt like it got to you quicker because you didn't get a look at it the whole way. Jasprit's a little bit the same, with arms going everywhere," he further added.

"It still takes a couple of balls to get used to the different rhythm" - Smith on Bumrah

However, veteran batter Steve Smith, who has faced Jasprit Bumrah numerous times, said that despite familiarity, it still takes a few deliveries to adjust to Bumrah's rhythm as well.

"He's just awkward with the way he bowls, it's obviously very different to a lot of other people. "It takes a little bit getting used to. I've played against him quite a lot now, and it still takes a couple of balls to get used to the different rhythm," Smith told Fox Cricket.

As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins, Jasprit Bumrah's form and leadership will be important for India. For Australia, neutralizing the threat of Bumrah will be crucial to gaining an early advantage in the five-match Test series.

Team India Skipper Rohit Sharma will miss the First Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which starts on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Rohit Sharma stayed back in India for the birth of his second child and will join the India Squad ahead of the Second Test in Adelaide a day-night match starting on December 4.

Rohit had communicated with BCCI and National Selectors in advance that he might miss the Perth Test. He had left the possibility of last-minute travel open, depending on the timing of the child's birth. Rohit and his wife welcomed their second child on Friday, a week before the first Test, raising the chance that he might travel to Perth. However, Rohit has communicated to BCCI that he will be available to play the two-day pink-ball warm-up game against the Australian Prime Minister's XI before the day-night Test in Adelaide.

See Also:- India vs India A match simulation update

Vice Captain Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side in the absence of Rohit Sharma. Bumrah has led India in one Test previously, the fifth Test of their two-part 2021-22 tour of England at Edgbaston, when Rohit had tested positive for Covid-19. India lost that Test match by 7 wickets and the 5-match Series was tied at 2-2 with the first test being drawn at Nottingham.

India will begin their Test series with two key members missing from their top order, with Shubman Gill also set to miss the Perth Test due to a fractured thumb. KL Rahul and the uncapped Abhimanyu Easwaran were the top contenders to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in Rohit's absence, but now there’s a possibility that both might play.

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. 

The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia is set to commence with the first Test at the WACA in Perth. However, India’s regular skipper, Rohit Sharma, will not be traveling with the team for this opening encounter due to personal reasons. This absence has raised questions about the team’s captaincy and lineup as they prepare for a crucial away series against Australia.

Jasprit Bumrah likely to lead Indian team in Perth

With Rohit Sharma missing the opening Test, vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah is expected to step up as the interim captain. Bumrah, known for his leadership skills and experience in international cricket, is seen as the strongest candidate to lead the team against Australia’s skipper, Pat Cummins. However, an official announcement regarding the temporary captaincy is yet to be made.

KL Rahul and Abhimanyu Easwaran, who recently opened for India A, are among the options to fill the opening slot in Rohit’s absence. The team management will need to finalize their approach and make adjustments to the lineup for the Perth Test to maintain balance and strength in the squad.

See Also: Champions Trophy debacle: PCB reaches out to Pak government for directives as India refuses to travel

Indian Team prepare for Australian tour

A batch of the Indian team have already departed for Australia, with the remainder of the team set to follow after a pre-departure press conference on Monday, November 11. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, along with Rohit Sharma, will address the media at this event. Following the press conference, the second batch of players, including Gambhir, will board their flight to join the squad in Australia.

As India prepares to face one of their toughest challenges in Test cricket, fans and analysts eagerly await updates on team composition and strategy. The absence of Rohit Sharma for the first Test is a significant development, but the team remains focused on securing a positive start to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

The 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League will unfold in the mode of a Mega Auction. The recent news of the retention list being released by the ten participating franchises has stirred up a lot of talk, primarily relating to some shocking releases of commendable contributors to their respective teams.

Though it also comprises the right performers being retained, the upcoming mega auctions would be a wild ride, with several top names making an entry under the hammer. But, there have been some retentions that were a steal and absolutely worth it. That said, here's a list of the top 5 best retentions made before the start of the 2025 IPL Mega Auction.

Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians- INR 18 Crore)

Jasprit Bumrah has been hailed as one of the best fast bowlers in the modern cricketing generation. Arising as a 2013 young pacer with Mumbai Indians, Bumrah's evolution as a reliable quickie is something not to forget. He has done it all, be it giving a nightmare to the batters in the powerplay or turning the game around by taking wickets during the final stages.

It was unsurprising to find his career shuttler retaining him for the highest amount of INR 18 Crore, signifying his importance in the future. In his 2024 IPL stint, he was the lone warrior in Mumbai Indians' disastrous campaign by scalping 20 wickets in 14 matches, making him the third-highest wicket-taker of that edition. 

Nitish Kumar Reddy (Sunrisers Hyderabad- INR 6 Crore)

Sunrisers Hyderabad has become one of the franchises that has given several emerging cricketers who have grown and significantly impacted the sporting world. Nitish Kumar Reddy is an emerging player from the Orange Army who has caught fanatics' eyes thanks to his commendable all-rounder performances in just a few appearances.

He was awarded the Emerging Player of the Tournament for his colossal 303 runs and three wickets in 13 matches. With him making a stellar international debut in the recent T20I series Bangladesh, it is not surprising to find him getting retained for just INR 6 Crores, which is a steal. 

Tilak Varma (Mumbai Indians- INR 8 Crore)

Tilak Varma is another emerging season campaigner who helped bolster Mumbai Indians' middle-order attack in the previous edition. By retaining him for INR 8 Crore, there is no doubt that it was a steal deal, as they primarily focused on the future prospects and were eager to have players onboarded for the long run.

Though they had many options to retain, Tilak Varma completes the balance quotient for the Mumbai Indians retention list, as it already comprises two strong top-order batters (Rohit Sharma & Suryakumar Yadav), one lethal pacer (Jasprit Bumrah) and a reliable captain all-rounder (Hardik Pandya). In his 2024 tenure, Varma has made 416 runs in 13 matches at a commendable average of over 42. 

Also Read: IPL 2025: Top 5 Worst Retentions during the 2025 IPL Mega Auction

Rinku Singh (Kolkata Knight Riders- INR 13 Crore)

Rinku Singh joined the Knight Riders in 2018 for a base fee of Rs 50 lakh and has remained with them since then. In his first few seasons, he did not get enough playing time. However, since 2023, he has increased in prominence. He became one of KKR's top finishers, capable of leading them to victory even in challenging situations. Rinku demonstrated the ability to maintain his calm under pressure.

As his success shows, he was retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a staggering INR 13 crore, signifying a 2264% hike. This also demonstrates how hard work and growth go hand in hand. In the 2024 edition, Rinku Singh made 168 runs in 14 matches, which might indicate low numbers, but the swashbuckling batter has always been a vital asset to the three-time champions. 

Sai Sudharshan (Gujarat Titans- INR 8.5 Crore)

Sai Sudharshan is another name to be added to the best retention list and an emerging player to check out. The Gujarat Giants retention list comprises an optimum mix of experienced and emerging players, with Sudharshan on the emerging side. Starting with a base salary of just INR 20 Lakh, he will get an enormous INR 8.5 Crore, indicating a 4150% hike.

His clean and power-hitting approach has brought him to fame; hence, this result is shown in the retention list of the 2022 champions. He had a memorable time with the bat in the previous edition, as he made 527 runs in just 12 matches with a century, making him the highest run-scorer for the team during that tournament. 

Ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be sitting out the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai as part of a workload management strategy. After featuring in both Tests against Bangladesh and the first two Tests of this series, the Indian team management has decided to rest him ahead of the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, starting November 22.

Bumrah’s workload management in focus ahead of Australia tour

The decision to rest Bumrah stems from the need to manage his workload after a busy season. Originally, the Indian team management had planned to give Bumrah a break during the second Test in Pune, but following India’s defeat in the first Test, the plans were adjusted. Bumrah’s recent performance in the Pune Test saw him bowl only 14 overs without any wickets, underlining the necessity of ensuring he is fit and ready for upcoming high-stakes matches. A team source confirmed Bumrah's return to Ahmedabad, where he joined his family for Diwali, marking a brief respite before rejoining the team for the Australian series.

See Also: Can India avert a clean sweep? Crucial WTC points on the line

Gambhir highlights Bumrah’s preparatory routine and experience

India head coach Gautam Gambhir praised Bumrah’s approach, emphasizing that as a seasoned player, he’s well-aware of how much preparation is necessary to stay match-ready. According to Gambhir, Bumrah is preserving his energy for the demanding conditions in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and he skipped bowling sessions during the recent practice drills in Mumbai to focus on physical conditioning and recovery. This decision is part of a larger strategy to ensure the pacer’s fitness, with Gambhir expressing full confidence in Bumrah’s readiness for the crucial series ahead.