Not Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma!! Steve Smith demands this Indian player in Australia's lineup
Published - 15 Oct 2024, 12:04 PM | Updated - 15 Oct 2024, 11:35 PM
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Former Australia skipper and middle-order batter Steve Smith picked the player from across international teams, to play in his team.
Steve Smith said that he wants Team India bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah to be part of his team, and described Bumrah as a "complete bowler" for all three formats.
Jasprit Bumrah completed 400 international wickets during the two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home last month.
The pacer won the Player of the Tournament award during the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. He took 15 scalps in eight games at an average of 8.27 in India's victorious campaign.
Jasprit Bumrah Is So Different In His Action - Steve Smith
When asked which player he would pick to have on his team, Steve Smith picked Jasprit Bumrah.
Smith highlighted Bumrah's unique bowling style, adding that it takes time to adjust to his action. The Australian batter praised Bumrah for his ability to swing the ball both ways and other variations.
"From all the cricketers you've played against, if you had to pick someone to be on your team, is that something that you could maybe give some insight on, whether it's a bowler or a batter? Is it Stuart Broad?" the host asked.
"He's got me out a lot. Maybe Bumrah. I think he's got such a unique skill set, the way he goes about it," Smith told ESPNCricinfo.
"He's so different in his action, which takes a lot of getting used to. He swings it both ways, nips it off the seam, great slow ball, a great bouncer."
"So I think he's kind of the complete bowler in a way. And he does it in all forms of the game. So I'd say he'd be one that I'd like on my team for sure," he added.
Which opposing player would @stevesmith49 pick to play in his team? 🤔#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/m9VRr9wvhX
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) October 15, 2024
Steve Smith To Bat In Middle-Order During BGT 2024-25
Steve Smith opened for Australia in the Test following David Warner's retirement. However, the move didn't yield for him and Australia.
The batter is set to bat in the middle order against India in the BGT 2024-25 series. He is approaching the milestone of 10,000 Test runs, with 9,685 runs in 109 Tests.
Jasprit Bumrah To Play In Three-Match Test Series vs New Zealand
The five-match Test series between India and Australia is set to begin in Perth on November 22. India has secured wins in the last two series in Australia.
Bumrah has been a key player in India's success. He took 21 wickets in four Tests during the 2018-19 series and 11 wickets in three matches in the 2020-21.
The Indian fast bowler made his debut in Test cricket in January 2018. He has taken 164 wickets in 37 matches with an average of 20.51.
He last played in the Test series against Bangladesh, where India won 2-0. Bumrah will be next seen in action during the upcoming Test series against New Zealand.
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Steve Smith Jasprit Bumrah India National Cricket Team Australia National Cricket Team India vs Australia IND vs AUS
