But after being dismissed for six by India’s fast bowlers in eight innings, Khawaja admitted he was “just getting Bumrah’ed”.
“To be honest, I was falling for Bumrah,” Khawaja told ABC Sport after Australia won back BGT in Sydney. “It was really hard work. It was really hard work. People were asking me, ‘What’s going on?’ To be honest, I’m just getting a Bumrah education.”
Bumrah finished the series as the highest wicket-taker with 32 scalps at an average of 13.06 and was duly named Player of the Series.
However, he could only bowl nine innings and was unable to take the field after experiencing back spasms during the first innings of Australia’s chase at the SCG.
Bumrah’s absence saw Australia seal victory with six wickets to spare and Khawaja admitted Australia felt more confident on a spicy pitch when they knew Bumrah was not on the field.
“You never want to see someone get injured and it’s a shame he did that but thank God for us because today would have been an absolute nightmare facing him on that wicket,” Khawaja said.
“And you can see what a big part of the team he was, and everyone felt it. As soon as we didn’t see Bumrah out there, we felt like we actually had a chance here.”
Khawaja said Bumrah was “the toughest bowler I have ever faced” and welcomed the fast bowler’s progress during the first tour of Australia in 2018-19.
“He was always good, a very good bowler (in 2018), but this year something was different,” Khawaja said. “It looked like he had just set his tail.
“The wickets have definitely helped him but he has matured over six more years, become a better bowler and understands his craft. He understands who he has to bowl to and he has a different plan for everyone. there is.
“I think no matter how good a bowler is, he will always give me something to score. I never felt like I could score him. It felt too difficult. I’ve never seen anyone that difficult. Being Bumrah, scoring runs and taking strikes, it always feels like he has a wicket up his sleeve.”
