Without pace ace Jasprit Bumrah, India’s otherwise inconsistent seamers wiped out the last five Australia batters quickly, giving the visitors a lead, albeit slender, for just the second time in the series, writes Sarah Waris.
It was always being spoken about in hushed whispers. Jasprit Bumrah’s fascinating series, where he elevated himself to further greatness, could all end with a painful hand around an injured part of the body, a nimble walk to the dressing room… throwing India into the darkness. For their team selection simply relied on Bumrah starring.
Having gone in with two spinners in the SCG Test - less to do with an “uncharacteristic” pitch and more to hide their flailing batting returns - the onus was on captain Bumrah once again to lead the pace-bowling attack. He had with him for company Mohammed Siraj, a large-hearted but rather inconsistent fast bowler, Prasidh Krishna, who was returning after a year, and Nitish Kumar Reddy – primarily a batter rather than an all-rounder, a tag that he has been carrying around lately.
