Former India head coach Greg Chappell has fiercely defended Jasprit Bumrah against allegations of an “illegal action.” Chappell described Bumrah’s bowling style as “unique but unequivocally clean,” calling the criticism baseless and disrespectful to a champion performer. In his column for The Sydney Morning Herald, he wrote, “By the way, please stop this nonsense of questioning Bumrah’s action. It demeans a champion performer and the game even to bring it up.”
India’s Record-Breaking Victory in Perth
India achieved their biggest win by runs against Australia in Australia, securing a massive 295-run triumph in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. This victory was India’s 10th Test win in Australia and surpassed their previous largest win margin in Melbourne in 1977.
Opting to bat first, India was bowled out for a mere 150 runs. However, Bumrah’s exceptional five-wicket haul turned the match in India’s favor, restricting Australia to just 104 in their first innings. Overall, Bumrah claimed eight wickets in the match while standing in as captain for the absent Rohit Sharma.
Concerns Over Australia’s Batting
Greg Chappell expressed concerns about Australia’s fragile batting lineup, especially highlighting Marnus Labuschagne’s struggles. Labuschagne has not scored a century since July 2023 and managed just 2 and 3 in the two innings of the first Test.
“Marnus Labuschagne knows he is under pressure. With only 330 runs from his last 16 innings, he must rediscover his form quickly. He looks to be batting for survival when he really should be looking to score runs. A change of mindset should be his first port of call,” Chappell wrote.
He further warned that changes could follow if Australia fields the same team in Adelaide and performs poorly.
Jaiswal and Rahul’s Brilliant Partnership
After gaining a slender 46-run lead in the first innings, India’s opening duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul laid a solid foundation for a commanding second innings. Their 201-run stand, the highest opening partnership for India in Australia, set the stage for a big total.
Chappell praised Jaiswal, calling him a “fearless cricketer” and an “emerging superstar.” “Jaiswal is poised to inherit the mantle of Indian batting excellence, following the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar,” he wrote.
Outlook for the Adelaide Test
Looking ahead to the second Test in Adelaide, Chappell emphasized the importance of Australia’s top order stepping up under the challenging day-night conditions. He advised the team to avoid panic changes but cautioned that another poor performance could force selectors to rethink their strategy.
India’s emphatic win has set the tone for the series, with key players like Bumrah, Jaiswal, and Rahul showcasing their class. Meanwhile, Australia faces the challenge of regrouping and addressing their batting woes.
