Jasprit Bumrah rues missing out on 'spiciest wicket of the series'

India’s stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah rued missing out on the opportunity to bowl at his usual best on what was, according to him, the spiciest wicket of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. 

“[Its’ a] little frustrating but sometimes you have to respect your body, you can’t fight your body. Disappointing [that I] probably missed out on the spiciest wicket of the series,” Bumrah said in the post-match presentation ceremony after India lost the Test by four wickets and the series 3-1 on January 5 (Sunday). 

Bumrah, who was leading the team as Rohit Sharma 'opted out' of the playing XI after poor outings in the last three Tests, said that he always wanted other bowlers to believe in themselves. In Bumrah's absence, the other seamers, led by Mohammed Siraj, took nine wickets across day two and three but it wasn't enough as Australia got home comfortably in the end, with six wickets in hand.

“The chat was about belief, the other bowlers stepped up in the first innings. With a bowler short, the others had to take responsibility. The chat this morning was about the same thing, about having belief and showing character,” he said. 

India were in a winning position in Melbourne when they had Australia six down for 91 in the second innings and then let them score 234. Even while defending in their own second innings, they could have pushed for a draw easily with seven wickets intact in the final session. 

In Sydney too, after bowling the Aussies out for 81 and gaining a four-run lead despite being bowled out for 185, the Indian team had the opportunity to turn things around. Not being able to win crucial moments cost the series, Bumrah felt. 

“Lots of ifs and buts, the whole series was fought hard, we were in the game today as well, not like we were out of it, this is how Test cricket goes. Being in the game for longer, creating pressure, absorbing pressure and playing to the situation are all important. You have to adapt to the situations and these learnings will help us in the future,” added the 31-year-old.