India Tour of Australia: ‘Getting Jasprit Bumrah tired would be the key,’ says Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood and Jasprit Bumrah

The Indian team is set to begin a challenging clash against Australia in their home ground later this month. The Aussies will host the four-match Test series from December 17 in Adelaide, preceded by the limited-overs matches.

Australian speedster Josh Hazlewood said that ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah would be the key in the upcoming series. Bumrah emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker when India registered an unprecedented Test series win last time they toured Down Under. He took 21 scalps alongside Nathan Lyon, followed by Mohammed Shami (16) and Ishant Sharma (11).

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“Bumrah is probably the standout. He is unique with his action. He maintains pace very well throughout the day and the whole series. He is probably the key. He can take wickets up front or with the old ball. I guess it’s about getting a lot of overs into him, try to tire him out in the first couple of games. That will be the key,” Hazlewood said during an interview.

Australia-India rivalry is up there with the Ashes: Hazlewood

***^{Indian Team registered a 2-1 series win against Australia in 2018}***

The 29-year old also said that the Australia-India rivalry is no less than the Ashes. India’s series victory in 2018 under the captaincy of Virat Kohli added to it, according to Hazlewood.

“Australia-India rivalry is up there with the Ashes. India probably added to it, the last time when they came here and won. That was some tight series.”

“They won last time, and we don’t lose too many series in Australia. That certainly hurt at the time. We know the guys who were at that time. I will remember that. It gives motivation this time around,” Hazlewood said.

“They out-bowled us the last time they came. That went a long way for them in winning the series. They have most bases covered with their quicks,” he signed off.

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