Chappell feels the form and fitness of Pant and Bumrah could decide India’s fate in Australia.
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell said India’s fate when they tour Australia later this year is likely to be decided by the form and fitness of Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah. India have won the last four Border-Gavaskar Trophy editions, including two in Australia (2018-19 and 2020-21). Bumrah and Pant played key roles in those two series victories.
Pant, who delivered that famous knock in the series decider at the Gabba in 2021, has not played Test cricket for nearly two years since he was involved in an unfortunate road accident in December 2022. The wicketkeeper-batsman made his return to red-ball cricket in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai, smashing his sixth Test hundred in India’s second innings.
“Pant’s return to the Test arena is truly remarkable given his horrific car accident. He is a vital wicketkeeper-batsman for India’s batting line-up and if he is at his best on the tour of Australia it will give the team a huge boost,” Chappell wrote in his ESPN Click Info column.
“As an in-form batsman, Pant is vital and he demonstrated that in key innings in both the SCG and Gabba Tests during the 2020-21 tour of Australia. His ability to score quickly with innovative attacking moves is a key part of India’s strategy.”
Talking about Pant’s wicketkeeping, Chappell added: “His wicketkeeping is also important. If Pant is at his best, he will be an ideal keeper for the Australian conditions. If he can continue to perform agilely even when he is backed away, that’s what we need in Australia.”
“We need keepers who can cover a large area well on either side of the wicket. A keeper who meets these requirements will not only improve the team’s fielding but will also enable our slip fielders to cover a wider area.”
“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.”
Bumrah’s fitness will also be key for India. The ace paceman has played seven Test matches in Australia, taking 32 wickets at an impressive average of 21.3 and strike rate of 51.5. Bumrah played in the first Test against Bangladesh, taking five wickets. India are scheduled to play four more Test matches before touring Australia and the team will be closely managing his workload.
“The selection of fast bowlers, then, will be crucial. The good form and fitness of both Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, the most successful fast bowlers on the last tour of Australia, will be essential. Of the two, Bumrah is the leader of the attack. A key part of India’s preparations for the tour of Australia will be ensuring that Bumrah remains in good form and fit to play the majority of the five Tests,” Chappell wrote.
Chappell is hopeful that Mohammed Shami will recover before the tour of Australia. The pacer has not played competitive cricket since the 2023 ODI World Cup final but is close to returning to full fitness. There is a chance that Shami could play in the New Zealand series. If that does not happen, he said Shami will play a few domestic matches before heading to Australia for the five-match series starting on November 22 in Perth.
“It would be ideal if the mercurial Mohammed Shami could flourish in Australia but the presence of a talented left-arm paceman would also add versatility to India’s attack. Spin bowling is well looked after by Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. Still, I would not downplay the importance of Kuldeep Yadav on some of the courts in Australia,” Chappell added.
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