New Delhi: Jasprit Bumrah didn’t participate in India’s training session on Tuesday, sparking concerns about his fitness and leading to doubts raised by former Australia fast bowler Damien Fleming over his availability in the third Test at Brisbane.
Bumrah pulled up while bowling the 81st over of Australia’s second innings, collapsing to the ground clutching his hamstring muscle. He needed medical attention and after being mended by the physio completed his over at a drastically reduced pace.
While many have said that Bumrah had suffered cramps, Fleming doesn’t believe so, saying that India could have handled the situation in a much more smart way.
“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 told SEN Radio.
“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.”
Bumrah India’s bowling spearhead
With 12 wickets in two Tests, the right arm pacer has been India’s leading bowler in the series so far, at an average of 11.25 and an economy of 2.50.
Bumrah claimed five wickets in Australia’s first innings of the first Test, and in the second game at Adelaide, India’s pace attack was largely depended in him for breakthroughs.
The 31-year-old took 4.61 in 23 overs in Australia’s first innings in the day-night Test at Adelaide where the other pacers struggled with the pink ball.
Bumrah led the team in the first Test in absence of Rohit Sharma, who skipped the series opener for paternity leave.
Rohit returned for the Adelaide game and said other bowlers also have to share the responsibility of taking wickets, while addressing questions on mounting workload.
“You can’t expect Bumrah to bowl from both ends, from morning to evening. It’s important to manage the bowlers. We talk to them and then make decisions,” Rohit had said.
Jasprit Bumrah didn’t train on Tuesday, speaking concerns about his availability for the third Test. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today