Mohammed Siraj’s injury hands India a massive setback during second day of Gabba Test

Indian cricket team management were left concerned after pacer Mohammed Siraj was seen walking off the field. The 30-year-old bowled two deliveries in the 37th over before stopping and clutching his left leg. There was a brief pause in play as Indian physio came out to tend to Siraj who then walked off the field after bowling 10.2 wicketless overs. 

This leaves India with just 2 pace bowlers in Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep with Nitish Reddy as the backup seamer. India have gone in to the game with just one spinner in Ravindra Jadeja who has replaced R. Ashwin from the previous game. Earlier today, it was revealed that Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, and Navdeep Saini are set to fly home. 

There is still no word on the extent of injury that Siraj has suffered and how badly it could affect his future participation. In such a scenario, one of the three departing players could be asked to back as the cover of the side. Harshit Rana is the only seamer in the side left and the youngster played in the opening two games of the series. Mohammed Siraj came out to field just before lunch to allay fears of the Indian team management and fans as he was seen in good spirits on the field. 

Worrying pressure on Jasprit Bumrah after Siraj injury scare?

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be expected to carry the bulk of the bowling for rest of the game. The 31-year-old has already picked 14 wickets in the series and has been the best bowler across both teams. Earlier on Sunday, Bumrah dismissed Australian openers in two successive overs. 

During the second Test in Adelaide, there was a minor injury scare Bumrah suffered when he crumbled to the field. If Siraj isn’t able to bowl for rest of the game, it will be worrying in times of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir. All the onus will be on Bumrah to carry the bowling attack. 

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar recently advised Bumrah to quit Test cricket and play the shorter formats. During his recent appearance on a podcast, the former pacer said, “Very good fast bowler for shorter formats and one-dayers, because he understands the length. I think he does a great job in death overs, in powerplay and he can swing the ball both ways.”

Shoaib Akhtar added, “But you know, in Test cricket, you have to bowl longer spells. You need pace because the batters aren’t trying to hit your length becomes irrelevant. You struggle if the ball doesn’t seam or reverse along with that lack of pace. When you start struggling, then people start questioning.”

“I think he is good enough to take wickets in Test cricket. Although he didn’t do much in the Test series against New Zealand, it happens. But if he wants to continue playing Test cricket, he has to increase the pace. With the injection of increasing pace, he has a high risk of getting injured. If I was him, I would have stuck to shorter formats” Akhtar further added.