Former Australia captain Ian Chappell said New Delhi pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant need to remain injury-free and in top form for India to complete a historic triple series win in Australia.
Bumrah and Pant’s fitness and form will be key to India’s victory in Australia: Chappell
Chappell, one of the most respected voices in cricket, feels that the five Test matches, including three against New Zealand, are the ideal preparation the Indian team needs ahead of the most high-profile bilateral series in this cycle of the World Test Championship.
“India’s number one priority will be to get as many players fit as possible without any major injuries, but the most pressing issue is achieving that target with Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant,” Chappell wrote in his ESPN Click Info column.
“Pant’s return to the Test arena is quite remarkable given his horrific car accident. He is a vital wicketkeeper-batsman for the Indian batting line-up and if he is at his best on the tour of Australia he will be a great boost to the team.”
Pant was the hero of India’s final series win of the 2020-21 season, scoring a match-saving 97 in Sydney, while his 89 not out at the Gabba in the final is now part of Indian cricket lore.
Chappell, one of the most astute players, explained why Pant’s keeping will be key to India’s fortunes on the bouncy track.
“If Pant is at his best he will be an ideal keeper for Australian conditions. If he can continue to perform agilely even when he drops back, that’s what you want in Australia. You need a keeper who can cover a large area well on both sides of the wicket.”
“A keeper who meets these requirements will not only improve his team’s defence but also enable the slip fielder to cover more ground,” he elaborated.
Chappell believes a stern warning from former head coach Ravi Shastri during his time at the helm may have helped Pant improve his glovework.
“Pant’s ability on the stumps has improved dramatically following an ultimatum from coach Ravi Shastri before his serious injury. The fact that Pant has progressed from being a dodgy keeper against spinners to being a very good gloveman on the stumps is a great testament to his work ethic.”
Another key aspect for Australia will be Bumrah’s fitness and form. Since returning from surgery for a stress fracture in his lower back in August 2023, the star pacer has managed his workload well across formats with emphasis on his preferred format at any given point in time.
However, he has also featured fairly regularly in Test matches, appearing in the majority of the red-ball matches, including away against South Africa and at home to England.
“The good form and fitness of both Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, the two most successful pace bowlers in the last tour of Australia, is essential. Of the two, Bumrah is the leader of the attack.”
“A key aspect for India in their preparations for the tour of Australia will be to ensure that Bumrah remains fit and able to play the majority of the five Test matches.”
He also noted that during his time as captain, his strong arm Dennis Lillee always wanted to play as many games as possible when he was on form, rather than being wrapped up in “cotton wool”.
Chappell is also hopeful that Mohammed Shami will be fit by the time the series begins.
“It would be ideal if the mercurial Mohammed Shami could flourish in Australia, but the presence of a talented left-arm pacer would also add versatility to India’s attack.”
“Spin bowling will depend on the prowess of Jediyah and Ashwin. Still, I would not downplay the importance of Kuldeep Yadav on some of the courts in Australia.”
For Chappell, Yashasvi Jaiswal has had a strong start to his Test career but the Australian tracks will require a different temperament from the Mumbai left-hander.
“Among the younger batsmen, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks extremely talented but will need to perform in form in Australia. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should act as guiding lights for the younger batsmen on the tour,” Chappell wrote.
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