Wake up, India's 'big boys': Ravi Shastri says Jasprit Bumrah has been carrying the team single-handedly

Ravi Shastri, the former head coach of the Indian cricket team when Jasprit Bumrah made his Test debut in 2018, has praised the talented Indian pacer. Shastri commended Bumrah for his exceptional performance, mentioning that he has been the driving force in keeping India in the series. Notably, Bumrah took on the role of stand-in captain during India's impressive 295-run win in the first Test in Perth, where he also showcased his bowling prowess with a five-wicket haul.

In the second Test, India did face a 10-wicket defeat but Bumrah was impressive with the pink ball, picking four wickets in the first innings. In Brisbane, Bumrah emerged as the leader of the bowling attack yet again, picking another fifer, eventually taking six wickets in the first innings. Additionally, Bumrah also played a helping hand in India avoiding the follow-on, remaining unbeaten on 10 off 38 deliveries, and adding 43 runs for the final wicket.

“They've been kept in this series single-handedly by Jasprit Bumrah,” Shastri told ICC. He further addressed the ‘big boys’ – most likely Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma – to turn up the heat with the bat in the remaining two Tests. Both failed to make a mark in the past two Tests, with Rohit failing to breach double figures in two of the three innings.

“If the big boys wake up, and step up to the plate which I just get the gut feeling they will, then Australia has a problem on their hands," said Shastri.

“Yeah, they got out of jail but they are not on bail. They are free birds in Melbourne. They can do what they want and come and attack Australia on Boxing Day.”

Following the Brisbane Test, the Indian cricket fraternity received a shock as Ravichandran Ashwin announced his international retirement. The spinner returned to India a day after the announcement, as India travel to Melbourne without their veteran bowler.

Ashwin played in the Adelaide Test, but Ravindra Jadeja replaced him in the third Test at the Gabba. Alongside Jadeja, Washington Sundar is another frontline spinner in the Indian squad.