Jasprit Bumrah’s injury is a major setback for India right before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This is a tough situation for the team, especially as Bumrah was set to lead India in the first Test with regular captain Rohit Sharma unavailable.
The first match of the series starts on November 22 in Perth. Bumrah, the vice-captain of the Indian team, was supposed to captain in Rohit Sharma’s absence.
Rohit decided to skip the first Test to be with his wife, Ritika Sajdeh, after the birth of their second child on November 15. Rohit is expected to join the team before the second Test in Adelaide.
Journalists Ben Horne and Dan Cherny reported that Bumrah hurt his shoulder while batting in the nets at Perth Stadium. He was hit by a ball from a net bowler during practice. Although he felt pain initially, Bumrah seemed fine later and was even seen talking with the net bowlers.
Despite playing only 40 Tests, Bumrah is one of India’s most important players. His brilliant bowling and strong presence make him a key weapon against any team. Against Australia, his performance has been exceptional, taking 32 wickets in 7 Tests at an average of 21.25 and an economy rate of 2.47.
Australian batter Travis Head recently praised Bumrah, calling him the ‘X-factor’ of the Indian team. In an interview with Fox Cricket, Head said:
“Impossible (to face). You try to feel like you’re one step ahead, but it always feels like he’s that next step. Any format of the game, he’s incredible. He’s their X-factor, he’s the guy they go to every time, and more often than not, he’s able to produce for them. In big moments you want big players, and I think he’s their biggest,” Head said.
India’s injury troubles don’t end with Bumrah. Shubman Gill has already fractured his finger, and reserve bowler Khaleel Ahmed also got injured before the first Test.
Khaleel has been replaced by left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, who flew directly to Perth from South Africa. Dayal was part of the Test squad for the Bangladesh series and had recently been in South Africa for the T20Is, though he didn’t play.
