'They could have hid this. There's no way that's cramp': Former Australia pacer feels Jasprit Bumrah's drop in pace is serious than it looks

Damien Fleming blamed captain Rohit Sharma for revealing that Jasprit Bumrah's pace has dropped after the cramp he suffered on Day 2 of Adelaide Test.

Sports Tak

• Tue • 10 Dec 2024

Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah (R) attended by physios on Day 2 of 2nd Test against Australia

Highlights:

Jasprit Bumrah suffered a cramp on Day 2 of the Adelaide Test.

Bumrah's pace dropped after the cramp.

India lost the Adelaide Test by 10 wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah Injury Updates: Former Australia fast bowler Damien Fleming has speculated that India's premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's drop in pace is not just a result of cramp he suffered on Day 2 of the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval. Bumrah was in need of medical attention while bowling his 20th over of the match. He left the field only to return and bowl three more overs. After India suffered another collapse, Bumrah bowled the first over as well defending a target of 18. However, his pace had dropped considerably. Fleming feels that it wasn't just a cramp and blamed captain Rohit Sharma for not playing his cards close to the chest.

"There’s got to be some serious doubts. Siraj might be workload [related] but I’m bemused Bumrah bowled that over. They could have hid this. They showed their hand," Fleming said on SEN Radio after the second Test.

“There’s no way that’s cramp. He was very ginger after the break in the first innings. He bowled again, not quite as slow second innings. I don’t even know why he bowled that over [in the second innings]. That actually gave some secrets away to everyone,” he added.

Bumrah took four wickets in the pink-ball Test. Earlier, while leading India in the Perth Test, he took eight wickets including a fifer and was named 'Player of the Match'.

Morkel on Bumrah feeling discomfort

After Day 2's play, bowling coach Morne Morkel ruled out the possibility of any injury.

“Firstly with Bumrah, he's fine, it was just this cramp. Yeah, even because after that, you know, he bowled and you got the wickets twice,” said Morkel in the post-match press conference.

After the defeat, Indian skipper Rohit had said that other bowlers need to support Bumrah as he can't bowl from both ends.

Quick turnaround for Gabba Test

Meanwhile, on December 10, Bumrah did not bowl in the nets. The Indian team will travel to Brisbane for the third Test at The Gabba on December 11. Bumrah will play at the venue for the first time. In the last clash at the venue, India fielded a bowling lineup led by Mohammed Siraj and managed to win the Test and the series.