Jasprit Bumrah (Photo AP)
NEW DELHI: Indian spearhead and skipper Jasprit Bumrah showed his mettle on the first day of the ongoing Fifth Test Frontier-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25.
With the bat, Bumrah made 22 crucial runs on Friday. Subsequently, this score became the highest score scored by an Indian Captain in the series, beating Rohit Sharma, who struggled to earn runs.
The 31-year-old took over the captaincy role in dramatic fashion after Rohit was dropped following poor form, scoring just 31 runs in the series.
Rohit’s initial absence due to the birth of his second child and subsequent inability to regain form left India in search of leadership. Bumrah, after leading the team to their first BGT victory this time, took charge and immediately made his presence felt.
On a difficult pitch, where India collapsed, Bumrah’s 22 off 17 balls injected some much-needed energy.
His innings, studded with three fours and a majestic six, took India’s total to a modest but potentially competitive 185.
Despite the wickets falling around him, Bumrah showed courage and determination, exemplifying the fighting spirit India needed to stay alive in this high-stakes encounter.
As the day drew to a close, Bumrah’s influence extended beyond the bat.
IND vs AUS: Rohit Sharma abandoned! Exclusive visuals from his latest session with the India Test team
Taking the new ball, the skipper delivered a good length delivery to dismiss the prolific Australian opener, Usman Khawaja, on the last ball of the day.
This wicket brought Australia to 9 for 1, setting the tone for a close contest as the match heads into the second day.
With 860 deliveries and 31 wickets in just five Tests in the series, Bumrah has been called into action, with bat or ball, every day of this series.
ALSO READ: Jasprit Bumrah records never before seen workload record in Border-Gavaskar Trophy
