“He’s the toughest bowler I’ve ever faced” - Usman Khawaja’s massive praise for Indian player after BGT 2024-25 5th Test

Australian opener Usman Khawaja called ace Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah the toughest bowler he had encountered after the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. Khawaja endured a dismal series, scoring only 184 runs at an average of 20.44 in 10 innings.

The southpaw was dismissed nine times in the series, with six of them coming against Bumrah. The champion pacer finished with 32 wickets at an average of 13.06 to be named the Player of the Series.

Yet, Bumrah was injured and off the field for Australia's run-chase in the Sydney Test and Khawaja capitalized with a crucial 41 to help the hosts win by six wickets.

Speaking to ABC Sport after the win, Khawaja said [Via News18]:

"I was just getting Bumrah’d. It’s a shame he was (injured) but thank god for us. Today would’ve been an absolute nightmare facing him on that wicket. As soon as we didn’t see him out there we thought ‘alright, we’ve got a chance here’. He’s the toughest bowler I’ve ever faced."

The win helped Australia break their bilateral Test series losing streak to India as they won their first series since the 2014/15 affair.

"There were 15 people really pleased that Bumrah didn’t bowl today" - Travis Head

Australia v India - Men's 4th Test Match: Day 4 - Source: Getty

Australian middle-order batter Travis Head echoed Usman Khawaja's sentiments and acknowledged that the side was relieved not to face Jasprit Bumrah in their run-chase at Sydney.

Head finished as the leading run-scorer in the series with 448 runs at an average of 56, including two centuries. The left-handed dasher provided the finishing touches to Australia's emphatic run-chase, scoring an unbeaten 38-ball 34.

"I think there were 15 people really pleased that Bumrah didn’t bowl today. He’s a great performer, he had an exceptional tour. Nice to contribute, I don’t worry about the results too much. Two great teams, felt like it would be nice if I could come out and contribute," said Head.

The series win helped Australia qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final for the second consecutive time. Meanwhile, India was eliminated from WTC final contention after the loss, their first after finishing runners-up in the first two editions in 2021 and 2023.