Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel provided an update on Jasprit Bumrah‘s fitness after the pacer experienced an injury scare on Day 2 of the 2nd BGT 2024-25 Test in Adelaide on Saturday, December 7. Morkel assured there is no cause for concern.
Bumrah appeared in discomfort during the 81st over of Australia’s first innings and was treated by the team physio. Commentating on air, Ravi Shastri noted that Bumrah seemed to be holding his adductor muscle, which could be troubling.
In the post-Day 2 press conference, Morkel addressed questions about Bumrah’s injury and stated (as quoted by India Today):
“Firstly with Bumrah, he’s fine, it was just this cramp. Yeah, even because after that, you know, he bowled and you got the wickets twice.”
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After receiving treatment, the right-arm pacer completed his over and finished with impressive figures of 4-61 from 23 overs. Bumrah took the wickets of Usman Khawaja (13), Nathan McSweeney (39), Steven Smith (2), and Pat Cummins (12) in Australia’s first innings. Mohammed Siraj also claimed four wickets but was expensive, conceding 98 runs in 24.3 overs.
“At times, we were a bit wide”- Morne Morkel acknowledges India’s mistakes with the ball
Bumrah shone as India’s standout bowler, but Australia delivered a strong batting performance, posting 337 in their first innings. Travis Head, with a blistering 140 off 141 balls, tormented the Indian attack, hitting 17 fours and four sixes. Morkel conceded that India’s bowlers faltered in their execution.
“In the first Test match, our lines and lengths were exceptional, and I think that was the blueprint going for us, into this Test series.”
“We wanted to bring stumps into play as much as we can, and I felt that last night with the ball moving around a bit. We missed that, we were slightly off the mark in finding the right length,” the former South African fast bowler said (as quoted by ICC).
The 40-year-old emphasized that hitting consistent areas has been key to success for pacers in day-night Tests, as Australia showcased on Day 2.
“At times, we [India in the first innings] were a touch wide, so we allowed the guys to leave a lot of balls. If you look at the history of pink ball Tests, that time of night if you bowl [in those areas], then you can pick up wickets,” Morkel added.
India ended Day 2 of the pink-ball Test at 128-5, trailing Australia by 29 runs with five wickets in hand. Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten on 28, while Nitish Kumar Reddy was on 15 at stumps.
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