Important to counter Bumrah, says Smith

THE showdown between the world’s best pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Kagiso Rabada is something that former South Africa captain Graeme Smith is looking forward to when Proteas play India in the first Test starting on Friday at Kolkata.

- CHANDRA PRABHU @Mumbai

The pitch at Eden Gardens for the first two days will likely offer more pace and bounce to the bowlers. This will help Bumrah and Rabada to showcase their skills. “I think it is never at the forefront of people’s conversation when you are playing cricket in the subcontinent, getting off to a solid start with your top three (for the South African team) is important. There is nothing worse than if you go two or three wickets down and then the spinners come on and you're against the game. Countering Bumrah up front is going to be a big thing and likewise Rabada for India,” he said on the sidelines of an SA20 India event here on Wednesday. Rabada has scalped 55 Test wickets against India in 14 Tests. He, however, has more wickets agains