Stop this nonsense of questioning Jasprit Bumrah's bowling action: Greg Chappell
Australian cricket icon Greg Chappell has lashed out at the criticisms of the bowling action of India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, whose fiery spells rattled the Aussies in Perth in the first Test.
Bumrah picked eight wickets including a fifer in the first innings to lead India to a massive 295-run win over Australia.
As Bumrah, who was India's stand-in captain in Perth, was doing most of the damage to the Australian batting, some social media users accused the bowler of chucking the ball.
Has Bumrah ever be called for throwing?
— AFHell - A bankrupt VFL in disguise (@AF_Hell) November 22, 2024
Or are umpires too afraid to make the call against an Indian? #AUSvIND
Shutting down the trolls, Chappell wrote in his column in The Sydney Morning Herald, "Yet it was Australia’s batting performance that was more concerning. India’s bowlers, spearheaded by the lethal Jasprit Bumrah, looked sharper and more menacing. Australia were bundled out for 104 in 52 overs, with Bumrah proving almost unplayable at times."
"By the way, please stop this nonsense of questioning Bumrah’s action. It is unique, but it is unequivocally clean. It demeans a champion performer and the game to even bring it up," the former controversial India head coach added.
Though India were bowled out by Australia for a mere 150 in the first innings on day one, Bumrah's team bounced back, rattling the hosts, who ended up with only 104.
India capitalised on the 46-run lead in the second innings, thanks to young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal's 161 and veteran Virat Kohli comeback century [100 not out] to set an insurmountable target of 534.
In a repeat of their first innings story, the Australian batting looked feeble in front of the Indian pacers who bundled out the hosts for 238 to take 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
On Australia's challenges, Chappell said, "At this stage, I don’t expect the Australian selectors to panic. However, if the same team takes the field in Adelaide and falters under the lights … watch out!
"Some of the fanciful predictions before the series began now look extremely flawed. Those sages seriously misread the talent in this Indian team."
He added, "It is frightening to think that spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin – who have more than 850 wickets between them – along with batters Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, will most likely come in to strengthen the Indians for Adelaide. Mohammed Shami, with 229 Test wickets to his credit, is waiting in the wings as well."