SYDNEY (AP) — The drama of cricket unfolded yet again as India faced Australia in the fifth test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The second day saw unforeseen turbulence when star bowler Jasprit Bumrah was taken for medical scans due to back spasms he suffered just after lunch. Bumrah, who had temporarily stood as captain with Rohit Sharma resting, had performed seamlessly during the initial session but left the pitch after claiming his second wicket of the match.
Reports revealed Bumrah exhibited no visible signs of injury during his earlier spells, where he took out Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja, staying on the top of his game with figures of 2-33 before his unexpected exit. The sudden turn of events raised concerns, as teammate Prasidh Krishna later disclosed, “He has a back spasm. He went for scans, and the medical team is monitoring him, so let’s see.” Bumrah's absence loomed large over the Indian team, which had already dropped Rohit Sharma for this must-win match.
With Bumrah off the field, veteran player Virat Kohli stepped up to captain the side, facing mounting pressure as Australia's bowlers aimed to capitalize on India's unstable middle order. Kohli, who might be playing his last innings on Australian soil, was booed initially by the crowd but later cheered off after falling to Scott Boland, putting the match's tension on display.
Despite Bumrah's departure, India managed to dismiss Australia for 181 runs. The contributions of bowlers such as Prasidh Krishna (3-42) and Mohammed Siraj (3-51) were pivotal, as they quickly took control of the game. Both bowlers helped India establish a narrow first-innings lead, leaving them hopeful going forward.
The game shifted frequently, with both teams having their moments of dominance, reminiscent of the series’ back-and-forth nature. The crowd of 47,257 at the SCG was treated to both extraordinary feats of batting and nail-biting wickets. Rookie all-rounder Beau Webster stood tall for Australia, marking his debut with the highest score of 57 before making headlines by claiming his maiden wicket, proving both teams were full of surprises.
After Kohli’s exit for just six runs, India's batting lineup faced mounting pressure, crumbling to 141 for six by the day’s end and holding just 145 runs overall lead. When asked about the bowling strategy moving forward, Krishna remarked, “If you can be aggressive, there is risk involved, but you get the reward of runs.”
Andrew McDonald, Australia’s head coach, stated, “First and foremost, we’ve got four wickets to get, to try to keep the total as low as possible,” indicating his plans to maintain the competitive edge as day three approached. With excitement building for the continuation of the test, cricket aficionados are on the edges of their seats, eagerly awaiting how India will adjust to the absence of their star bowler.
The match holds high stakes for India, who are contesting to square up the series after losing two matches, with hopes of retaining the coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The stakes couldn’t be higher, and cricket fans worldwide will be watching closely.