Ravi Shastri has raised concerns regarding the inconsistency of India's bowling attack during the ongoing third Test against Australia at the Gabba. He questioned whether the other bowlers could replicate the precision demonstrated by Jasprit Bumrah. Following an intense Day 2 on Sunday, where Australia amassed a formidable total of 405/7, Bumrah's exceptional 5-wicket haul emerged as the sole highlight for India, while the remaining bowlers struggled to contain the Australian batsmen.

Bumrah concluded Day 2 with impressive figures of 5/72 from 25 overs, standing out in an otherwise disappointing day for the Indian side. Despite his remarkable performance, Australia's Travis Head and Steve Smith each scored centuries, enabling the hosts to recover from a challenging position and establish a robust total by stumps.

Although Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Reddy each took one wicket, they also conceded runs, allowing Head and Smith to forge significant partnerships.

In reflecting on the Indian bowlers' performance, Shastri, who was the head coach of the Indian team from 2017 to 2021, expressed his worries about their ability to maintain consistency. In an interview with SEN Radio, he remarked, "They were giving away runs on both sides."

The former cricketer and coach further commented, "Bumrah has executed his role effectively, but one must consider whether the others can perform to the same standard."

Absence of self-discipline.

Shastri underscored that enhancing bowling performance hinges on maintaining consistency and effectively executing strategies. He remarked, “Bowlers must concentrate on targeting one side of the wicket,” indicating that they should uphold discipline and adhere to a well-defined game plan.

He elaborated, stating, “If (Head) aims to score on the offside, it is crucial to maintain a consistent line. Should he choose to play on the inside, he must take calculated risks.” This highlights the necessity of keeping tight lines to prevent batters from capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

Shastri also noted that a lack of discipline from bowlers, particularly regarding the offside and onside, places significant pressure on the captain. He observed, “When a batsman is able to cut and pull for boundaries, it complicates matters for the captain. If you then deliver a fuller ball, he can easily drive it for four.”

At present, Bumrah leads the series with 17 wickets, significantly ahead of the next-highest Indian bowler, Siraj, who has claimed 10 wickets.

As the third Test continues, India will require a unified effort from their batters to regain momentum in the match. The concerns raised by Shastri are likely to resonate within the Indian team, where consistency and discipline in bowling may prove crucial in shifting the dynamics of this pivotal Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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