Steve Smith terms Jasprit Bumrah's action 'awkward'

Steve Smith has been in a bid to script a Test comeback for quite a while now. It has been well over a year since the 'Fab four' batter has hit a ton in the longest format of the game. However, his goal to trace a turnaround was dashed once again as the formidable Indian pace line-up headlined by Jasprit Bumrah rattled the Kangaroos in the opening BGT Test. In the first innings as Bumrah obtained consecutive scalps, Steve Smith departed for a golden duck. Jasprit Bumrah, leading team India in the absence of Rohit Sharma, wrote the script of the victory as India thrashed the Kangaroos by 295 runs at the Optus Stadium to kick start the BGT. Now, as India prepares for the pink ball Test, Smith has opened up about the challenges of facing the lethal Indian seamer.

Steve Smith talks about the challenges of facing Jasprit Bumrah

Starting the proceedings in Perth, India wrapped up the opening innings at a paltry 150. However, the Perth turf, breathing fire on the first day of the Test, danced to the commands of Jasprit Bumrah when India's turn to ball came. The fiery pacer dismissed debutant Nathan McSweeney as soon as the third over of the innings. In a relentless bid, Bumrah then claimed Khawaja and Steve Smith on consecutive deliveries in the seventh over. Smith endured a golden duck as he continued his dry run in the format.

Now, with the second match of the Border Gavaskar series slated to start on December 6 in Adelaide, Steve Smith talked about Jasprit Bumrah. The seasoned Australian batter explained how the technicalities of Bumrah's action makes it an insurmountable task to face him. The batter termed Bumrah's action 'awkward' as he expressed how it takes a few ball just to read Bumrah's attack.

"From the start of his run-up, it’s just all awkward. The way he runs in is different to pretty much anyone else, then the last bit of his action is different. I’ve faced him a reasonable amount now, and each time you face him it takes a few balls just to get the rhythm of it in a way," Smith said in a recent interaction.

Steve Smith, furthermore, listed the skill that makes Bumrah a 'complete-package'. The 'Fab 4' batter emphasized how Bumrah can swing the ball both, making it all the more tricky to counter the seamer. 

“Put that together with his skill set—he swings it both ways, he can nip it off the seam, he can reverse it, got a good slower ball, a good bouncer—he’s pretty much the complete package as a bowler," said Smith.

Scalping 8 for 72 in the Perth Test, Jasprit Bumrah reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings. His scintillating display against the Kangaroos in their backyard led the 30-year-old Indian eclipsed Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada to earn career-best rating points of 883 in the ICC standings. India's next challenge in the BGT down under is a pink ball Test in Adelaide. However, before that the team gets a day-night practice match against Australia's Prime Ministers XI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.