“He doesn’t bowl too many bad balls” - Former Australia batter advices the top 3 on facing Jasprit Bumrah in BGT 2024-25 4th Test

Former Australia opener Simon Katich has shared a cue on how the team can keep Jasprit Bumrah from producing results in India's favor in the next two Border-Gavaskar series Tests. Katich warned the batters, saying the champion bowler doesn't bowl too many bad balls, and that rotating the strike and strong defense are key.

The right-arm pacer has had a stranglehold over the Australian batters in this series and has been a standout bowler. In three Tests, Bumrah has claimed 21 wickets, averaging 10.90. The No. 1 ranked Test bowler dismissed Nathan McSweeney on four occasions. The batter has thus been replaced by Sam Konstas for the remaining two Tests.

Speaking on SEN 1116 ahead of the Boxing Day Test, the 49-year-old opined that talks of positivity are good but Australia must weigh what they are up against. He elaborated:

"I know all the talk is around having more positive intent, and I think that’s all well and good and it is certainly something they have to be mindful of. But against someone like Bumrah intent is not about just blazing him for fours, because he doesn’t bowl many bad balls."

"So a lot of that intent has to be about rotating strike and being able to defend really well, because you’re not gonna be able to play with any intent if you aren’t there after the tenth over. That’s the challenge for all of these guys,"he added.

Plenty of focus will be on Usman Khawaja, who has a high score of 21 in this series and has been dismissed by Bumrah four times. Marnus Labuschagne has also struggled but found some semblance of form in the first innings in Adelaide as he scored 64.

"You’re not going to score many runs if you’re trying to take him on off the length" - Simon Katich on Jasprit Bumrah

Simon Katich. (Image Credits: Getty)

With 19-year-old Sam Konstas likely to face the right-arm pacer with the new ball, Katich said it will be a massive challenge, as not even the best have struggled to deal with him. The 56-Test veteran added in the same discussion:

"You’re not going to score many runs if you’re trying to take him on off the length, because he is so good. I know the young kid’s got a lot of potential, and a lot of ability, but it’ll be a challenge because not many guys around the world have been able to do that to that quality of bowling."

The five-Test series is currently locked at 1-1.