Jasprit Bumrah lauded both Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal after India’s dominant 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test in Perth. Speaking at the post-match press conference, Bumrah reflected on Kohli’s unbeaten 100 in the second innings, highlighting his importance to the team despite recent low scores.
“Virat Kohli doesn’t need us, we need him,” Bumrah said. “He is an experienced player who knows his cricket better than anyone. Despite the tough conditions, he remained mentally sharp and capitalized when it mattered.” Kohli’s century in 143 balls played a crucial role in setting Australia a daunting target of 534, showing his resilience after being dismissed cheaply in the first innings.
Bumrah also praised the young Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored a brilliant 161 in India’s second innings, calling it “probably his best Test innings.” Jaiswal, who bounced back from a first-innings duck, put on a 201-run opening partnership with KL Rahul. His ability to leave the ball well and play a long innings in challenging conditions impressed the Indian captain. Jaiswal’s 161 also made him the second player to convert his first four centuries into scores above 150.
Reflecting on India’s first-innings collapse for just 150, Bumrah credited his team’s resilience in bouncing back. “We were put under pressure, but the way we responded, I’m very proud of the team,” he said. With his own stellar bowling performance, Bumrah emphasized the importance of faith in the team’s abilities, urging players to trust their processes in tough moments.
India’s victory placed them back on top in the World Test Championship standings, marking a strong start to the series.
