Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant's Importance for India's Tour in Australia

Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant's Key Roles

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant must remain injury-free and in top form if India is to achieve a historic hat-trick of series wins Down Under, says former Australia captain Ian Chappell. Chappell emphasizes that the five Test matches, including three against New Zealand, provide an ideal buildup for India's high-profile bilateral series.

Importance of Fitness and Form

India's priority will be to ensure as many players as possible are in form without major injuries. Bumrah and Pant's conditions are of utmost concern. Pant's remarkable comeback post-accident is notable; he has been a crucial wicketkeeper-batter, offering a significant boost to the team.

With stellar performances in India's last series win in 2020-21, Pant showcased his potential in Australia. His ability to keep well on bouncy tracks will be vital for success. Chappell states, "If Pant can perform at his best, he's the ideal keeper for Australian conditions." Additionally, Bumrah's fitness is paramount for India’s bowling attack.

Strategic Preparation for Australia

Chappell believes ensuring Bumrah's fitness while maintaining his effective workload is essential for the upcoming series. The ideal scenario includes the return of Mohammed Shami for additional variety in India's pace attack. The seasoned spin duo of Jadeja and Ashwin remains solid, with the spin trio including Kuldeep Yadav showing promise on Australian surfaces.

Future Prospects

With promising talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal, adjustments to their game will be necessary for the young players to succeed in different Australian conditions. Chappell reiterates the need for established players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to mentor the younger batsmen during the tour.