There are growing concerns about Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness. After he injured his inner thigh while bowling the second new ball in Australia’s first innings in Adelaide, the Indian camp has been worried. This concern is valid, especially since Bumrah has been India’s main bowler in the absence of Mohammed Shami. While Mohammed Siraj has had some good moments, he still needs to improve to match the levels of Shami or Bumrah. Harshit Rana struggled in the day-night Test against Travis Head. This leaves India captain Rohit Sharma with very few options. Bumrah is his key bowler, and there’s no doubt about that.
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that Rohit can’t give Bumrah long spells as he is the only fast bowler India has. He said that if Bumrah gets injured, India has no chance in the five-Test series, which is currently tied 1-1.
“There’s no need to panic; it’s just 1-1. It’s fine, we’ve lost one Test, but it doesn’t mean everything is lost. The planning needs to be better, and the captain needs to make better tactical decisions. Rohit wasn’t up to the mark in his captaincy. And, of course, Jasprit Bumrah—he’s the only bowler. I’ve never seen a team depend on just one player. Ashwin isn’t playing, Jadeja isn’t playing. If Bumrah gets injured, we can forget about the series. That’s why Rohit is giving him short spells,” Kaif said in a video shared on his social media.
“Bumrah is being managed carefully. Rohit has been told to take care of him so that he stays fit. He can’t afford to break down since he’s the only pacer,” he added.
Bumrah, who led India in Rohit’s absence during the first Test in Perth, was outstanding, picking up eight wickets in the match. His spell with the new ball on Day 1, after India was bowled out for just 150, was considered one of the best in modern cricket. It was largely because of his brilliant performance that India won the Test by a record margin of 295 runs, going 1-0 up in the series.
In the second Test, Bumrah was again India’s best hope for breakthroughs. But the pressure of having to perform every time he bowled seemed to affect him, and his pace dropped as the innings progressed. He was also seen struggling with his inner thigh.
Although the team management has ruled out any serious injury, they are being cautious. Bumrah skipped India’s practice session in Adelaide on Tuesday and instead spent time with the team’s strength and conditioning coaches to stay injury-free.
The third Test begins in Brisbane on Saturday, and India will need Bumrah to be at his best.
