India Suffer Jasprit Bumrah Injury Scare in Border-Gavaskar Trophy Decider
India’s pace ace Jasprit Bumrah sparked concerns during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after leaving the field twice due to a suspected injury. Later, he was spotted exiting the venue with support staff, raising doubts about his fitness.
Bumrah Leaves the Field Following an Underwhelming Spell of Bowling
After lunch, with Australia struggling at 105-5, Bumrah took to the field but his speeds noticeably dropped, lingering in the low 120s, a stark contrast to his usual fiery pace. After completing just one over, he walked off the field, prompting Virat Kohli to step in as captain in place of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who was sidelined due to poor form.
Official broadcasters captured footage of Bumrah leaving the SCG in his training kit, accompanied by team staff, as he headed for a scan.
A Series of Setbacks for Bumrah
This marks the second time Bumrah has been forced off the field during the match. He briefly left for 30 minutes before lunch, only to return for a short spell in the second session. With his bowling workload already under scrutiny throughout the series, Bumrah’s injury scare could not have come at a worse time for India.
Having bowled 908 deliveries in the series—second only to Australia’s Pat Cummins (912)—Bumrah has been crucial for India. His 32 wickets in the series, including the dismissal of Usman Khawaja overnight and Marnus Labuschagne for just 2 on Day 2, are the most by an Indian bowler in a bilateral Test series in Australia
Bumrah’s Key Stats in the Series
| Matches Played | Wickets Taken | Deliveries Bowled | Key Dismissals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 32 | 908 | Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja |
Kohli Steps Up as Stand-In Captain
Virat Kohli, who guided India to a memorable victory in the series opener in Perth, took over the captaincy during Bumrah’s absence. Kohli’s leadership experience brought much-needed calm to an Indian side under pressure in this crucial decider. Substitute fielder Abhimanyu Easwaran replaced Bumrah on the field while the team awaited further updates on the pacer’s condition.
Australia’s Innings Wrap-Up
Despite Bumrah’s absence, India managed to bowl Australia out for 181. Prasidh Krishna stepped up with a solid performance, claiming figures of 3-42. India’s disciplined effort set a modest target, preparing them to bat under high pressure with the series on the line.
Implications for India’s Campaign
Jasprit Bumrah’s potential injury raises major concerns for India. After missing nearly a year of cricket between September 2022 and August 2023 due to a back injury, his fitness is crucial. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at stake and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on the horizon, Bumrah’s absence could impact India’s plans.
India will hope that Bumrah’s injury is not serious, as they aim to seal the series and retain the prestigious trophy in Australia
