SYDNEY: Jasprit Bumrah was not at the Sydney Cricket Ground for close to three hours on Day 2 of the fifth Test as the seamer was rushed for precautionary scans after a back spasm.
With the match delicately placed, India would want the services of their MVP on Sunday but it's understood that while he should be okay to bat, a call on his bowling will be taken on the basis of how he feels in the morning.
"Bumrah was taken for a precautionary scan after a back spasm but nothing serious at the moment. He should be okay to bat but a final call on his bowling will be taken on the basis of how he feels in the morning. So let's see and the medical team is closely monitoring him," a well-placed source told TimesofIndia.com.
India's stand-in captain bowled nine overs, across three spells, but didn't take the field after bowling just one over after the Lunch break. He picked the big wicket of Marnus Labuschagne but when he went off, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna stepped up to help India take a four-run lead. In their second innings, India came out with a positive mindset and ended the day's play at 141/6, for a 145-run lead.
With Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar still in the middle, the visitors would look to cross the 200-run mark and then fire on all cylinders with the ball. Australian camp will have a keen eye on Bumrah and the head coach admitted that his absence will be beneficial for the hosts during their chase.
"He is the leading wicket-taker in the series so it will be slightly beneficial for us. He is an incredibly talented bowler and can bowl on any surface. If he wasn't to be then India will have to come up with a new plan," says Andrew McDonald.
