Srinagar: India Standin captain Jasprit Bumrah emerged out as player of the series but was restricted to watch final day of Border-Gavaskar series from the stans due to injury as Australia lifted trophy by beating India in Sydney Test.
Jasprit Bumrah claimed the player of the series award for emerging as the leading wicket-taker with 32 scalps. However, Australia won Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 after winning Sydney Test.
“Sometimes you have to respect your body, you can’t fight your body. Disappointing, probably missed out on the spiciest wicket of the series,” said Bumrah in the post-match presentation after Australia reclaim the trophy after 10 years.
When pressed when he realised the injury concern, Bumrah added: “Felt a bit of discomfort during my second spell in the first innings.”
Bumrah, who led the Indian team for the second time in the contest and third in Test career, had suffered the injury on day 2 of the fifth Test and was immediately taken to the hospital in an ambulance for a scan. His teammate Prasidh Krishna, speaking to reporters on Saturday, revealed that the pacer incurred back spasms.
Earlier on Sunday, injured Bumrah did walk out to bat after skipping the warm-up on Day 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, but was dismissed for a three-ball duck. He did not take the field during Australia’s successful chase of 162.
India concede Border-Gavaskar Trophy series
It took Australia just 45 minutes to bowl out India for 157, as the tourists added only 16 runs to their overnight total with the loss of four wickets in 39.5 overs as the irrepressible Scott Boland ending with 6-45 and 10 wickets for the match.
In the absence of Bumrah, India, led by Virat Kohli, did produce a glimmer of hope after Prasidh Krishna snared three quick wickets, which included Steve Smith falling agonisingly one short of becoming only the 15th player and fourth Australian to reach 10,000 Test runs.
But Usman Khawaja hit a composed 41 before Travis Head (34 not out) and debutant Beau Webster (39 not out) steered them home.
The win ensured Australia will defend their World Test Championship title in the June final at Lord’s against South Africa.