England opener Rory Burns has conceded that Jasprit Bumrah is a difficult bowler to prepare for and that the visitors will be doing their best to understand the India pacer’s strengths in the lead up to the 4-Test series, starting February 5 in Chennai.
In less than 3 years, Jasprit Bumrah has gone on to become one of the leading bowlers in Test cricket. However, the India star is yet to play a Test match at home. Bumrah, who has been named in the 18-man squad for the England Tests, is likely to get his first opportunity at home in Chennai after having missed India’s historic win at the Gabba, Brisbane against Australia earlier this month.
“He’s quite a hard man to prepare for, isn’t he? He’s obviously unique in terms of how he comes and bowls. We’ll just be working on those angles, try to work our way on seam and swing and those sort of things and try to replicate that as best as we can,” Burns told the press on Thursday.
“Homework? No, I have watched the India-Australia series, saw the most recent. No, I have played with a few other guys before, not in that respect, but I have played with them,” he added.
Meanwhile, Burns warned against putting too much pressure on England’s spin duo of Dom Bess and Jack Leach, saying they will be able to adapt to the conditions in India after a successful stint in Sri Lanka.
“Honestly, I don’t think you need to put too much expectation on them. They will go about their business and they have bowled in Sri Lanka to get into the groove which is important and its about switching their skills on to Indian surfaces,” Burns said.
“I think they have both been here before on different tours with the Indian Lions, so they have experience of playing here,” Burns said during a virtual media conference on Thursday.
“But you don’t want to put too much expectation on them without knowing about the surfaces going to be and with Indian seam attack, it might be slightly seamer-friendly, there is a Day/Night Test, so yeah it could be a bit different,” he added.
Burns missed the 2-Test series against Sri Lanka due to paternity leave and he will be raring to get an opportunity in the much-anticipated Tests in India
