'Impossible To Face...': Brett Lee Calls Jasprit Bumrah 'Cat Burglar' as India's 'X-Factor' vs AUS

Indian cricket team will aim for glory in upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. India and Australia are two of greatest cricketing nations, and India’s recent whitewash against a 3-game Test series against New Zealand ds a lot more anticipation for 5-match Test series, which will start on November 22, 2024, in Perth.

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Jasprit Bumrah is 'Cat burglar' for Brett Lee and India's 'X-factor' for Travis He in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Dubbed as bowler "impossible to face" by swashbuckling Australian batter Travis He and a "cat burglar" by former tearaway pacer Brett Lee, Jasprit Bumrah's reputation precedes him.

India pacer, who is set to captain India in first Test of five-match series starting Friday, has left both past and present Australian players in awe of his skill and threat.

Not since golden era of West Indies in 1970s has a touring pace bowler struck fear into hearts of Australians as much as Bumrah, according to local media.

On his two previous Test tours of Australia, 30-year-old Bumrah, who is set to captain India in first Test of five-match series from Friday, took 32 wickets at an average of 21.25, including a match-winning 6/33 during 2018 Boxing Day Test.

Since start of 20th century, only two touring bowlers have taken more wickets in Australia at a lower average -- Richard Hlee and Curtly Ambrose.

He, Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith -- all top-order batters -- who are set to face Bumrah in marquee five-match series are unanimous about pivotal role Indian pace spearhe can play for India.

"Impossible (to face). You try to feel like you’re one step ahe, but it always feels like he’s that next step," He told 'Fox Cricket'.

"Any format of game, he’s incredible. He’s ir X-factor, he’s guy y go to every time, and more often than not, he’s able to produce for m.

"In big moments you want big players, and I think he’s ir biggest. You’ve got your work cut out as a batter. He’s someone that’s going to be difficult over summer.”

 Part of Bumrah’s magic is his signature bowling action, which defies cricket convention.

“He (Bumrah) creeps in like a cat burglar,” pace legend Lee said in a lighter vein.

Bumrah's "awkward and weird" action me Khawaja wonder where ball came from when he first faced Indian.

“When I first faced Bumrah, I was like, ‘Oh where did that come from?’” Khawaja said.

“It comes at you a little bit quicker than you expect because of awkwardness of his action and how he releases ball.

“Much like Mitchell Johnson, he h a weird action too. ball used to come out and felt like it got to you quicker because you didn’t get a look at it whole way. Jasprit’s a little bit same, with arms going everywhere." 

Star batter Smith is one of few Australian players who has an impressive record against Bumrah, averaging 56.67 across formats, but New South Welshman mitted that he still feels vulnerable against Indian speedster early in his innings.

“He’s just awkward with way he bowls, it’s obviously very different to a lot of or people,” Smith said.

“It takes a little bit getting used to. I’ve played against him quite a lot now, and it still takes a couple of balls to get used to different rhythm.” 

(PTI)