India were dealt a huge blow on the second day of the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, in Sydney, as pace spearhead and stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah had to leave the field because of an unspecified injury.
The 31-year-old, who is leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma after he opted out of the Sydney Test because of poor form, left the field shortly after the lunch break. Reports say that he has left the Sydney Cricket Ground for precautionary scans, as he felt some discomfort after bowling an over post the break. From visuals, it appeared to be a side strain. He was seen speaking to Kohli and leaving the field. The official broadcasters later showed him leaving the venue with team's security liaison officer Anshuman Upadhyay and team doctor in an SUV.
Jasprit Bumrah has left the SCG: https://t.co/0nmjl6Qp2a pic.twitter.com/oQaygWRMyc
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2025
Bumrah, who has been India's strike bowler throughout the series, dismissed Marnus Labuschagne in the morning session to take his series tally to 32 wickets at an average of 13.06.
The Indian team is yet to issue a statement about Bumrah's condition. Former skipper and veteran batter Virat Kohli has taken over as the captain in his absence.
India take a four-run lead
The Indians, however, did not let Bumrah's absence affect them much, as Mohammed Siraj (3/51) and Prasidh Krishna (3/42) produced a great spell of fast bowling to dismiss the Aussies for 181. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, too, chipped in with two wickets.
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Debutant Beau Webster, who top scored for the Aussies with a solid 57, held the innings together even as wickets fell regularly at the other end. He put on 57 runs with Steve Smith (33) for the fifth wicket, but did not get much support from other batters.
After Bumrah dismissed Labuschagne, Sira removed Sam Konstas (23) and Travis Head (4) in the same over, before Krishna got Smith at the stroke of lunch to reduce the Aussies to 101/5 at the break.
Post-lunch, the Indian pacers continued to chip away as Krishna dismissed Alex Carey (21) with an angled-in delivery, while Reddy got Pat Cummins (10) and Mitchell Starc (1). Krishna then removed Webster, who fell to an excellent catch by Yashasvi Jaiswal at gully, while Siraj put the finishing touches, castling Scott Boland for 9.
India need to win the Sydney Test to level the series at 2-2 and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
