Virat Kohli Doesn’t Need Us, We Need Him: Jasprit Bumrah

MUMBAI, (ANI) – India’s stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah highlighted the crucial role of senior batter Virat Kohli following India’s commanding 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test in Perth on November 25. Regular captain Rohit Sharma missed the series opener after opting out due to the birth of his second child.

Despite being without experienced players Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, and handing Test debuts to Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, India rebounded strongly after being bowled out for just 150 in their first innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s stunning 161 and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 in the second innings set the stage for a dominant performance. Kohli’s century marked his first in Tests since his 2023 knock against the West Indies in Port of Spain.

At the post-match press conference, Bumrah lauded Kohli’s influence. “I have said this before: Virat Kohli doesn’t need us; we need him. He is an experienced player on his fourth or fifth tour here. He knows his cricket better than anyone else. He looked in great shape, mentally switched on. In tough scenarios, it’s hard to deliver consistently, but he showed why he’s one of the best,” Bumrah said.

Reflecting on Kohli’s innings, Bumrah added, “He got a tough delivery in the first innings but came back brilliantly in the second. His experience helped not just him but also his partners, and to see him start the series with confidence is a massive boost for the team.”

Bumrah also shone with the ball, claiming 5/30 as Australia were dismissed for 104 in their first innings. Powered by centuries from Kohli and Jaiswal, India declared their second innings at 487/6, setting Australia a daunting target of 534. The hosts managed just 238 in their second innings, with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj sharing six wickets to seal the victory.

Praising his team’s resilience, Bumrah said, “We were under pressure in the first innings, but the way we responded was outstanding. Missing key players is never easy, but everyone stepped up.”

He also reflected on his experience at Perth. “I played here in 2018, and I remember the wicket starts soft but gets quicker. This pitch was less spicy than before, but we were prepared. I kept emphasizing faith in our process and abilities because moments like these are opportunities to do something special.”

India will look to maintain their momentum in the Day-Night second Test in Adelaide, starting December 6.