India vs Australia: Gautam Gambhir picks Jasprit Bumrah as India’s X-Factor for T20Is

India vs Australia: Gautam Gambhir picks Jasprit Bumrah as India’s X-Factor for T20Is

Gautam Gambhir and Jasprit Bumrah

Gautam Gambhir and Jasprit Bumrah
Gautam Gambhir and Jasprit Bumrah

The Indian team didn’t have a perfect start against Australia as they suffered back-to-back defeats in the first two ODIs. Indian players looked so flat in all three departments of the game, especially bowling and fielding.  

India’s ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah also failed to impress with his performances during the first two 50-over matches. The 26-year old has claimed only a solitary wicket after bowling 20 overs so far in this series. However, former India opener Gautam Gambhir backed the Indian pacer, picking him as the X-Factor for the Twenty20 International matches.

“I can’t look beyond someone like Jasprit Bumrah. He is your only X-factor, and he will always remain your X-factor, not only in the T20 series but in all the formats,” Gambhir said on Star Sports.

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“Yes, there is Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and all those guys but Jasprit Bumrah is just pure class. I have always maintained that bowlers are the guys who win you the games and Jasprit Bumrah is just world-class,” he added.

‘Sixth bowling option is the biggest challenge for India’

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya might bowl a few overs in T20Is

Gautam Gambhir emphasized the lack of the sixth bowling option for the ‘Men in Blue’. Moreover, Gambhir said that he would want KL Rahul to open the innings with Shikhar Dhawan in the T20Is.

“To be honest, the sixth bowling option is the first and biggest challenge for India because Hardik Pandya is still not fit to bowl. So, what combinations do they go within the T20I series, that is going to be a big challenge? Let’s see what combination the Indian team goes with, especially in the playing XI,” Gambhir added.

“KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan. I would not push KL Rahul down the order. Yes, he would keep wickets but I would still have KL Rahul opening the batting with Shikhar Dhawan.” he concluded.

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