Morne Morkel Reveals Biggest Reason Behind Jasprit Bumrah Leading India In Rohit Sharma's Absence

Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024: Team India are all set to take on Australia in the five-match Test series that begins on November 22, 2024. The first match of the IND vs AUS Test series will be played at the Optus Stadium, Perth. India are the defending champions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and they are eyeing a fifth consecutive series victory against the hosts. India emerged victorious in their last two visits to Australia and they are trying to emulate their heroics from 2018 and 2020.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy this time around also holds an added degree of significance. After India's 3-0 drubbing against New Zealand, their hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship finals rely a lot on the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India will have to defeat Australia by a margin of 4-0 if they wish to play the WTC finals. The Indian team will miss the services of their regular skipper Rohit Sharma in the series opener.

Morne Morkel Lavishes Praise On Jasprit Bumrah

Team India's regular Test skipper Rohit Sharma stayed back in the country to be with his spouse for the birth of their second child. Rohit, will reportedly join the squad ahead of the second Test match of the series, that will be played in Adelaide. In Rohit's absence, Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team in the Perth Test.

India bowling coach Morne Morkel addressed the media ahead of the Perth Test and revealed the reason that why Bumrah was bestowed with the leadership role for the first Test.

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'Jassi as the guy that immediately sort of put his hand up and he wanted that leadership role. I think, he has been very successful in the past. He knows what to expect. In the dressing room he speaks well and he is a guy that I know that with the ball in hand will lead from the front and the rest of the younger guys will follow. So, for him it is an exciting sort of challenge ahead. But again, there are lot of experienced guys who will help him. I am sure when he is bowling, it will bring a bit of calmness into the team. But in terms of leadership, in terms of how he looks at the game and approaches the game, he is a natural leader for me.', said Morkel

India Look To Scale 'Mount Optus'

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Much to India's misfortunes, the series opener will be played at the Optus Stadium, Perth. Australia have never lost a Test match at this venue. India in their 2018 Border-Gavaskar Trophy winning campaign lost only one Test match and that was in the Optus. If India are their to stamp their authority on the Aussies, they'll have to start their campaign by scaling Mount Optus.