Usman Khawaja names Jasprit Bumrah as ‘toughest bowler’ he has faced

Australia won the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by a comfortable 3-1 margin at the end. However, it was not without the constant menace that came in the form of Jasprit Bumrah. The premium Indian pacer was a one-man army for India on multiple instances and ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the five-match series with 32 wickets in nine innings.

Australian top-order batter Usman Khawaja was quick to admit the fine performances Bumrah put in against him and the team. He also compared Bumrah from 2018 to his 2024 self and applauded the stunning last year he had had. Khawaja could only muster 33 runs off the 112 deliveries Bumrah bowled to him. He was dismissed on six occasions.

“I was just getting Bumrah’d. It was tough work. I have to face this guy with the new ball every single time. You never want to see anyone injured and it’s a shame he was, but thank god for us. Today would’ve been an absolute nightmare facing him on that wicket. As soon as we didn’t see him out there we thought, ‘alright, we’ve got a chance here’. He’s the toughest bowler I’ve ever faced. And I have faced him in 2018. he got me out once, he was alright, he was good, but he has been something else this year. He has got his tail up,” shared Khawaja during an interview with ABC Sport.

I don’t have to face him again, thank god: Khawaja

Khawaja shed light on the reason he felt why Bumrah was a class apart in comparison to any of the others from the bowling unit of India.

“The wickets have definitely helped him (Bumrah). He is six years more mature. He understands his skills, who he is bowling to. He has different plans for everyone. I always felt like no matter how good a bowler is, I can always get something to score runs, but I did not get anything at all from him. He’s just so hard. I don’t have to face him again, thank god,” he concluded.