“You might have won the series” - Former India opener points out key absentee in BGT 2024-25

Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu said a lack of bowling depth cost India the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in Australia. The 61-year-old said that, unlike the Aussie pace trio, Jasprit Bumrah ran out of partners throughout the five-game series. He called Mohammed Siraj a “tremendous bowler” but opined Mohammed Shami would’ve been the real difference. He added that Shami’s presence could’ve helped the tourists complete a hat-trick of series in Australia.

Notably, Shami failed to be a part of the 2024-25 BGT due to fitness issues. The National Cricket Council (NCA) didn't give him the green signal, citing knee issues despite him being a regular in domestic competitions like Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. There were also reports of differences between India skipper Rohit Sharma and Shami regarding fitness ahead of the last two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

Sidhu said on YouTube (via Sports Tak):

“They [Australia] had three experienced bowlers for those conditions and you had only one fast bowler. The support was Mohammed Siraj. He is a tremendous bowler but if there was Mohammed Shami, you might have won the series. They kept attacking the weakest link.”

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“If you squeeze lemon too much, it will give bitter juice” – Navjot Singh Sidhu sums up India’s loss in Sydney ft. Jasprit Bumrah work overload

Navjot Singh Sidhu further pointed out how India overused Jasprit Bumrah across three formats, which led to his injury in the fifth Test in Sydney. He also asked the selectors to rotate the players based on workload while sharing that Bumrah bowled 386 overs in the year.

The cricketer-turned-commentator said in the same interaction:

“The solution is you keep formats specialists. Do rotation. Why is it important? It’s because Bumrah bowled 386 overs in a year. If you keep a lot of sacks on an Arab horse, will it win the race? It will fall 100 percent. If you squeeze lemon too much, it will give bitter juice. This is a short-term treatment.”

Jasprit Bumrah, who was adjudged the Player of the Series for his 32 wickets, bowled 151.2 overs in the five-game series. The 31-year-old was unavailable due to a back spasm during Australia’s run-chase in the series decider, ending India's hopes of retaining the BGT trophy. The Aussies chased down 162 in just 27 overs to claim the series 3-1.