Bumrah vs Head: Immovable object faces unstoppable force

Game-changers for their teams, Bumrah and Head will be expected to make their presence felt in the Boxing Day Test

- ASHISH MAGOTRA

MELBOURNE: It's become quite fashionable for teams these days to claim they only focus on themselves and not on the opposition. But honestly, can Australia resist a peek at Jasprit Bumrah? Or can India ignore Travis Head? And can the fans not want to see the two of them really go at each other? Seriously, who are they kidding!

There have been two standout players in this Border-Gavaskar series: Jasprit Bumrah—21 wickets at an average of 10.90; the next best bowler on either side, Mitchell Starc, has 14 wickets at an average of 22.85. Travis Head—409 runs at an average of 81.80; the next best batter on either side, KL Rahul, has 235 runs at 47. The gap between these two and the rest is immense.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been made special by the rivalries. In the 2001 series, Sourav Ganguly would often make Steve Waugh wait at the toss. It wasn't much, but even the slightest irritation mattered. VVS Laxman hitting inside-out shots through the covers against Shane Warne at his peak. Sachin Tendulkar versus Glenn McGrath—two of the greatest cricketers of their generation, each unwilling to give an inch.