Bumrah or bust for India as legend carries team on back

Jasprit Bumrah is fast becoming a one-man band who is keeping India afloat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with his genius at the bowling crease.

The rest of the India attack struggled to make an impact on day two of the third Test at the Gabba and failed to support Bumrah, who claimed the 12th five-wicket haul of his career and second of the current series.

Bumrah finished with 5-72 from 25 challenging overs as Australia compiled 7-405 in their first innings by stumps courtesy of centuries to Travis Head (152) and Steve Smith (101).

The other four bowlers used by India - Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja - could only manage 2-316 between them.

The 31-year-old Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul with the fall of the sixth wicket when Head was caught behind. All of his victims were top order batters he lured into false strokes outside off stump.

Head, who made his runs off just 160 deliveries, carved up the rest of the bowlers who were not consistent with their line and length to the in-form left-hander.

"They were giving away runs on both sides," India great and former coach Ravi Shastri told SEN Radio.

"Bumrah has done most things right, but I think when you look at the others you think, 'can they execute?'

"They have to think how to bowl on one side of the wicket.

"If (Head) has to score, if it's the offside, then hold the line consistent. Then if he wants to go onside he has to take a chance.

"When you have someone cutting you for four and pulling you for four, it becomes very hard for the captain. Then when you pitch up he drives you for four."

Shastri said the rest of the India attack needed to "keep it simple".

Bumrah bowls with skill the entire innings when the ball is hard or soft but India bowling coach Morne Morkel identified the area India fell short, particularly when Head was at the crease.

"With the ball, from overs 50 to 80, that is where we fall short," Morkel said. "We have the game plans but are we executing them with the softer ball from both ends? That is something we need to discuss and get better at."

"Bumrah is the No. 1 bowler in the world and of course you need somebody to back him up and help him but I can't fault the effort from the other seamers."Morkel said Akash bowled well without luck while he praised Siraj for battling with cramp and having a dig.

Bumrah turned in an iron man display, bowling more overs than any of his teammates.

With the rest of his attack struggling, India captain Rohit Sharma was forced to turn to Bumrah more than he would have wanted given that he had sustained a groin niggle in the second Test in Adelaide.

With two further Tests to play in the series, India cannot afford to work Bumrah into the ground.

When he finally took a well-deserved break late on Sunday the rest of the attack dished up rubbish and Alex Carey (45no) and Pat Cummins (20) made them pay in a late 58-run stand for the seventh wicket.