Aussies Prefer To Attack The Leadership: Ravi Shastri Warns Bumrah Ahead Of 1st Test

Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead India in the first test against Australia in Perth, beginning on November 22. This is the second time that the fast bowler is captaining the team in Test cricket.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri has expressed that Bumrah will be under significant pressure as Australia is likely to target him during the match.

Australia's Strategy Against Bumrah

Ravi Shastri, speaking on Star Sports Press Room, highlighted how Australia tends to focus their efforts on opposing captains. He noted that they aim to undermine the captain's confidence, believing it affects the entire team. Shastri stated, "The Aussies prefer to attack the leadership. Whoever the captain is, they train their guns and their spotlights on the captain."

Despite this, Shastri believes Bumrah's maturity and competitive nature will help him handle the pressure. He said that Bumrah should remain calm and rely on support from fellow bowlers. "If he's calm and gets support from his other bowlers, I think he'll be fine," Shastri added.

Bumrah's Experience in Australia

Bumrah has a commendable record in Australia, having played seven Tests and taken 32 wickets there. His experience could prove vital as he navigates the challenges of leading the team while maintaining his performance as a bowler.

Shastri also mentioned that Bumrah should avoid overexerting himself due to captaincy pressures. He advised him to stick to his strengths and bowl as if he were just another player in the team. "It's easier said than done, but I think he's mature enough to do it," Shastri remarked.

Support from Team Members

The former coach stressed that with adequate support from teammates, Bumrah can manage well under pressure. The key lies in not letting captaincy affect his natural game style. Shastri concluded by acknowledging Bumrah's current status as one of the world's best fast bowlers.

As Rohit Sharma joins the team during this match, India's strategy will be crucial in countering Australia's tactics. The spotlight remains on Bumrah as he leads India into this challenging Test series against a formidable opponent like Australia.

The match begins at 7.50 am (IST).

Australia probable 11: Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

India's probable 11: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran/KL Rahul, KL Rahul/Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja/R Ashwin, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah (c), Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep/Harshit Rana.