"Bumrah Defends Team's Efforts, Emphasizes Growth Amidst Transition in Australia Series"

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace ace, has finally come to defend his bowling colleagues despite the current unit going through a string of miserable performances in this series against Australia. Even though Bumrah alone has taken 17 wickets at an average of 10.66, his colleagues in the bowling department had managed just 19 wickets at an average of 39.36. The contrast is stark at the strike rates too—the latter takes a wicket in every 28.1 balls, while the others do it more than twice as often (64.9).

Chased back by India on the third day of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, the team was then under pressure again at Gabba. However, Bumrah-the man who had taken six wickets in the first innings-is nothing but resolute and disapproves the notion that he alone should carry the team's burden on his shoulders. "We are a new team with several fresh faces, and it's important to offer them the space to learn from experience. Nobody is born with all the skills," Bumrah said after Day 3's play on Monday (December 16).

Reflected his way of dealing with the game by saying, "I'm always fascinated by new challenges. Be it a pitch variation like Perth or Adelaide, or the type of ball altogether, I look at that as a challenge to work on. The thing is to work towards solutions instead of crying and pointing fingers.

Bumrah also spoke about his individual development as a cricketer, narrating how, earlier, he might have been weighed down by what others thought. "Now, I only focus on what I can control. I give my best, and I accept whatever the outcome is. The team isn't about one individual carrying the load. There will be days when others step up, and I'll play a supporting role when needed," he said.

Despite the rain interruptions, Australia dominated with a first-innings score of 445 thanks to centuries from Travis Head and Steve Smith. And now with India at 51 for 4 and only two days of play left, Bumrah is confident that the team won't fall into negativity. "We don't point fingers. We're a team in transition, and it's important to stay positive and focus on our journey.". We are adjusting to a new place, and as a bowling side, I feel it is my responsibility to aid those around me," he said.

Bumrah also supported his opening bowling mate, Mohammed Siraj, who has been struggling with a niggle throughout the series. He has been bowling with a lot of intent despite that. "Siraj has been battling through a niggle, and his attitude has been fantastic. Even when he's not 100%, he's always willing to fight for the team," Bumrah said. He further stated that Siraj's attitude of giving his best despite everything is a big plus for the team. "Wickets will come and go, but the effort and attitude Siraj shows are what really matter."

In his words, "Sometimes wickets fall when you're bowling well, sometimes they don't. But the effort you put in is always valuable. That's the mentality we need to carry forward, and Siraj has shown that in spades."