Team India captain Jasprit Bumrah was absent from the field for nearly three hours on the second day of the fifth and final Test against Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Bumrah has been allowed to bat in India's second over of the match, but a final decision on his bowling is yet to be taken.
Jasprit Bumrah got an early wicket for India on day two by dismissing Marnus Labuschagne for just two runs in the first session. He bowled 10 overs in the first innings, giving away 33 runs. However, the right-arm fast bowler left the field at the start of the second session due to a back spasm as a precautionary measure.
A preventive check-up was conducted on Jasprit Bumrah after he suffered a back spasm
In Bumrah's absence, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Kumar Reddy cleaned up the Australian lower order. India bowled out Australia for 181 in the first innings, taking a narrow lead of four runs. Siraj and Prasidh took three wickets each, while Bumrah and Nitish Reddy got two wickets each.
India are hoping Bumrah will be available on Sunday, with a decision on his bowling based on how he feels in the morning. Bumrah underwent a precautionary scan after suffering a back spasm, but it is not considered serious. He is expected to be able to bat, but bowling will depend on his condition.
“Bumrah was taken for a precautionary scan after suffering a back spasm but nothing serious at the moment. He should be fine to bowl but the final decision on bowling will be taken based on how he feels in the morning. So let's see and “The medical team is monitoring him closely,” an informed source told TimesofIndia.com.
It will be of some use to us – Andrew MacDonald
The Australian camp is closely monitoring Bumrah's situation, with their head coach admitting that Bumrah's absence could benefit the hosts as they chase.
“He is the leading wicket-taker in the series, so he will be of some help for us. He is an incredibly talented bowler and can bowl on any surface. If not, India will have to come up with a new plan,” says Andrew MacDonald. .
India need the services of Jasprit Bumrah with both the bat and the ball on the final day
India ended the second day at 141/6, with Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar at the crease. The team needs the services of Jasprit Bumrah on the last day with both bat and ball. India are aiming to cross the 200-run mark and then capitalize on their lead with the ball to secure victory in the Test match.
India will be aiming for a win to level the series 2-2 and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. A win will also keep them in the race for the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025. Australia, on the other hand, needs a win to clinch a Test series against the Men in Blue for the first time in a decade.