Jasprit Bumrah has been the most important player for the Indian Cricket Team in the last few years. He has been the best bowler across formats currently and has been influencing matches for India on a consistent basis. Bumrah has always stepped up for India in pressure and at times has singlehandedly turned the match in India’s favour.
He was instrumental in India’s victory in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 at the Optus Stadium. Bumrah scalped eight wickets in the Test match and helped India win the match by 295 runs. The Indian star pacer also picked up four wickets in the second Test match at the Adelaide Oval with the Pink ball but India suffered a defeat by 10 wickets.
Jasprit Bumrah suffered cramps during the Adelaide Test
However, the concerning point for the Indian fans during the second Test was when Bumrah went down holding his hamstring during the second day in Adelaide. Although, he came back to bowl in that second innings, his pace was down in the second innings when India were defending 19 runs. Team India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel asserted that it was just cramps for the fast bowler and there was nothing to worry about. Moreover, India’s captain, Rohit Sharma has said that Bumrah is likely to play all five Test matches in the series.
However, former Australia cricketer, Damien Fleming feels that there might be a bigger injury for Bumrah and it is not just cramps. Fleming expressed on SEN Radio that there must be significant doubts about Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness after the second Test, suggesting that Mohammed Siraj’s absence might be workload-related but he was puzzled by Bumrah bowling an over.
He mentioned that India could have kept this issue under wraps, but by letting Bumrah bowl in the second innings, they inadvertently revealed their hand. Fleming also stated that it was unlikely that Bumrah’s condition was just cramp, as he appeared uncomfortable after the break during the first innings and his bowling pace was slower in the second. He questioned the decision to have Bumrah bowl that over in the second innings.
“There’s got to be some serious doubts. Siraj might be workload [related] but I’m bemused Bumrah bowled that over. They could have hid this. They showed their hand,” Fleming said on SEN Radio after the second Test (via the Dyney Morning Herald).
“There’s no way that’s cramp. He was very ginger after the break in the first innings. He bowled again, not quite as slow second innings. I don’t even know why he bowled that over [in the second innings]. That actually gave some secrets away to everyone,” he added.
