'Without Jasprit Bumrah you have to...': Ex India star's massive statement on India's chances of winning Sydney Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Team India are currently sweating over stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah's participation on Day 3 of the fifth Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The Legendary speedster suffered from back spasms during day 2 which forced him to leave the ground to undergo scans.

Bumrah is currently the highest wicket-taker in the five-Test match series. The speedster is unplayable by Aussies in the ongoing series. Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar believes that if Bumrah wasn't fit then a lead of 200 runs won't be enough for India.

“I think there is a difference of 50 runs, without Jasprit Bumrah you have to put 230-240 runs on the board and with Jasprit Bumrah I think somewhere around 180 will be quite challenging for Australia. One thing that liked was, when he came back after the scan, obviously it took a lot of time because the hospital is a bit far, he looked in good shape and his body language was such that there was no indication for the Australian team and it is very important to maintain the secrecy" said Bangar on Star Sports.

Bangar praised Indian management's decision to not disclose about the pacer's availability for day 3 of the fifth Test match. He reckoned that Australian batters yet to find an antidote to survive Bumrah.

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"Because, tactically you do not want to announce whether Jasprit Bumrah will be available for bowling or not and even if he is not available and this news goes across the oppositions dressing room, because till now Australian batsmen haven’t found out a way to counter him they don’t know whether they should attack, defend, or whether they should play on front-foot. So to execute this plan it is important to maintain secrecy, so Jasprit Bumrah and the Indian team management managed it quite well!” added Bangar.

Coming back to the fifth Test, Rishabh Pant smashed a whirlwind 32-ball 61 as India reached 141 for six at stumps after dismissing Australia for 181 on the second day of the final Test here on Saturday.

Ravindra Jadeja (8) and Washington Sundar (6) were at the crease with India leading by 145 runs.

Brief Score: India 1st innings: 185 all out

Australia 1st innings: 181 all out in 51 overs (Beau Webster 57, Steve Smith 33; Prasidh Krishna 3/42, Mohammed Siraj 3/51, Nitish Reddy 2/32).

India 2nd innings: 141 for six in 32 overs (Rishabh Pant 61, Scott Boland 4/42).