'If Bumrah, Shami And Siraj...': Former Opener's Big Prediction on India Scripting Hat-trick of Test Series Win in Australia

After a rare break that will last over a month, Team India will be back in action as they resume their ICC World Test Championship campaign with a two-match series against Bangladesh at home. It will be followed by another home series – three Tests vs New Zealand before Rohit Sharma and co embark on arguably their toughest assignment of the year in Australia’s tour.

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India have happy memories from their previous two tours of Australia – each of them culminating in a 2-1 series win for the tourists.

Now, India will be eyeing more history aiming to win their third Test series in a row in Australia but it’s a task that’s easier said than done.

Australia, the current holders of the WTC, will be itching to assert domination over India in home conditions with as many as five Tests scheduled to be held from November to January next year between the two rivals.

So, can India record a hat-trick of series wins on Australian soil?

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer thinks it’s possible provided their three leading pacers – Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj – stay fit and feature in majority of the tour.

“If Bumrah, Shami and Siraj stay fit and are able to play most of the series, India have a great opportunity for a hat-trick down under,” Jaffer said in response to a query on X (formerly Twitter).

While Bumrah is in the midst of a break, Shami continues recovery from an ankle injury with his last competitive match being the final of 2023 ODI World Cup in November. Siraj, on the other hand, has been a regular feature across formats.

Jaffer also feels that India could benefit from picking a left-arm option in Arshdeep Singh who is yet to play Test cricket while also adding tearaway pacer Mayank Yadav, who shot to limelight with his raw pace in IPL 2024, could be a dark horse.

“Arshdeep could bring the left arm option. And Mayank Yadav dark horse provided he’s fit and available,” he said.