Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah returned to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after leaving mid-match for scans. Bumrah, who appeared to be in discomfort while bowling, exited the field with the team physio earlier in the day. Over three hours later, he re-entered the SCG around 4:45 pm local time (11:15 am IST), jogging up the pavilion stairs—a sight that brought cautious optimism to Indian fans. With India defending a modest target of around 200 on a lively SCG pitch, Bumrah’s return is vital as he remains their highest wicket-taker and workhorse in the series.
India Holds Fort Despite Bumrah’s Absence
Bumrah’s temporary absence in the second half of Australia’s innings could have been a major setback. However, India’s bowling unit stepped up brilliantly, with Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, and Nitish Kumar Reddy delivering disciplined spells. Supported by exceptional catching in the slips, India restricted Australia to 181, just four runs short of their first-innings total. The collective effort kept the match evenly poised despite India missing their strike bowler. Stand-in skipper Virat Kohli effectively managed the team, showcasing calm leadership in Bumrah’s absence.
Rohit Sharma Praises Bumrah’s Leadership
Jasprit Bumrah, standing in as captain for Rohit Sharma, has proven his mettle as a leader during this series. Speaking on Star Sports, Rohit lauded Bumrah’s cricketing acumen, saying, “He sets an example with his bowling and always puts the team first. I’ve watched him evolve since 2013, and his growth as a player and thinker has been phenomenal. His bowling is admired worldwide, and he’s gone from strength to strength.” Bumrah’s leadership has been a key factor in India’s performance, even as Rohit opted out of the Test due to poor batting form.
India’s Batting Faces Challenges
In the final innings of the series, India’s openers began positively, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul contributing 22 and 13 runs, respectively, before Scott Boland struck. Boland dismissed Kohli for a low score of 6, while Beau Webster removed Shubman Gill cheaply. However, Rishabh Pant counter-attacked with a blistering 31-ball 61, providing a much-needed momentum shift. As the match hangs in the balance, Bumrah’s return could be the deciding factor in India’s bid to secure victory on a challenging SCG pitch.
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