Great bowlers are the ones who are hard to score against: Langer praises Ashwin, Bumrah

Tags: India tour of Australia, 2020-21, India, Australia, Justin Lee Langer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Jasbirsingh Bumrah

Published on: Jan 05, 2021

Australia coach Justin Langer was all praise for the Indian bowlers for the manner in which they have kept Australian batsmen on the backfoot in the series so far. Even though India lost the first Test before coming back hard to clinch the second, their bowlers have been on the spot right through the two Tests. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin were brilliant in the Boxing Day Test while debutant Mohammed Siraj provided him excellent support.

Admitting that Indian bowlers have had the wood over Australia, Langer said, “India’s greatest strength over the last couple of series has been their discipline. India has taken a straighter line to a couple of our batters and set the fields accordingly.”

He was especially impressed with Ashwin and Bumrah, who have not allowed the Australian batsmen to get into any sort of rhythm so far.

“We know how we like to play our cricket as Australians, but credit to India... very well-planned. As you would expect, they have discipline in their bowling. And let us not discount Ravi Ashwin. How many has he taken... 380 Test wickets [sic: 375]? The great bowlers are the ones who are hard to score against. Bumrah is up there and Ashwin is up there at the moment,” Langer added.

He further stated that the hosts are working on ways to tackle the spin duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

“I think we have got to look at our strategies against the Indian spinners. Ashwin is bowling very well, and we have worked hard on that for the last week or so,” he further said.

On the recuperating opener David Warner, the coach asserted that there is a great chance of playing at Sydney, having recovered from his groin injury.

“He is moving pretty well and is determined to play. He loves the competition and playing Test cricket. So we will get some final eyes on him at training and make a decision, but I would say he is looking very likely to play the Test match,” informed Langer.

The third India-Australia Test kicks-off at Sydney starting January 7.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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