Jasprit Bumrah, India's premier right-arm quick, is under scrutiny as the Test series approaches after a wicketless outing in the ODIs against New Zealand. This comes as a surprise given his strong performance in the T20Is, where he took six wickets to help secure a whitewash victory. However, during the 2020 tour's second format, he struggled to make an impact in the ODI matches.
Former New Zealand bowler Shane Bond observed that the Kiwi batting lineup had likely decoded Bumrah's variations, rendering his attack less effective. Furthermore, Bond mentioned that Indian bowlers Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini were not consistently hitting the required speeds and accuracy.
Focusing on his own side, coach Shane Bond emphasized the strength of New Zealand's seasoned bowling core, including the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, and Colin de Grandhomme. Meanwhile, the Indian team is preparing for the Test series, scheduled to run from February 21 to March 4, 2020.
Beyond the batting performances, the clash between India and New Zealand has been defined by the contrasting efforts of their bowling attacks. Shane Bond believes that New Zealand's defensive approach to Bumrah will serve as a guide for other teams looking to survive the Indian pacer's spells. The final stage of the tour will take place at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch and the Basin Reserve in Wellington.