"Don't know whether that was a rehearsed answer" - Former India cricketer on Prasidh Krishna stating Jasprit Bumrah was suffering from back spasms

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar wondered whether Prasidh Krishna gave a rehearsed answer when asked to provide an update on Jasprit Bumrah after Day 2 of the Sydney Test against Australia on Saturday, January 4. While stopping short of questioning the claim, Manjrekar expressed surprise over Team India's lead pacer going for scans in the middle of the Test match.

Bumrah was named India's captain for the fifth and final Test of BGT 2024-25 after designated skipper Rohit Sharma opted out due to poor batting form. The right-arm fast bowler, however, only managed to bowl 10 overs in Australia's first innings due to fitness issues. He left the field after bowling only one over after lunch on Day 2 of the gripping Test match.

Speaking at a press conference after the end of the day's play, Prasidh shared an update on Bumrah and said:

"Bumrah had a back spasm. He went for scans, and the medical team is monitoring him. We will know more once medical team gets back to us."

Reacting to Prasidh's statement, Manjrekar, while speaking to ESPNcricinfo, raised a slight suspicion over the sequence of events. He commented:

"If it was anything more than a back spasm, I think the whole country would have been in a spasm. So, it's good to know, but I don't know whether that was a rehearsed answer that was given because I am sure the team management knew that question would be asked. You wonder if it was a back spasm why would one go all the way out of the ground to have a scan. Let's hope it is what they say it is."

The 59-year-old added that India would find it extremely difficult to win the Sydney Test without Bumrah. He, however, also stated that India need to put up a few runs on the board and cannot afford a lower-order batting collapse.

"If India get another 40 runs and Bumrah fit, should be more India's game than Australia's. Bumrah unable to bowl and India get 60-70 runs more, which is possible with Washi (Washington Sundar) and (Ravindra) Jadeja there, then India win. Anything other than that, you have to worry for India's sake."

"If there's a collapse from now on, say 150-160, it will be tough even with Bumrah. That's how beautifully this match in poised," Manjrekar stated.

India were 141-6 in their second innings at stumps on Day 2 of the SCG Test. The visitors have a lead of 145 runs, with four wickets in hand.

---

Bumrah's phenomenal performance in BGT 2024-25

Bumrah has been the best bowler on show in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy by some distance. He has sent down 151.2 overs across the five Tests, claiming 32 wickets at an average of 13.06, with three five-fers and two four-fers.

The 31-year-old broke Bishan Singh Bedi’s record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in a Test series in Australia on Saturday. Bumrah dismissed Marnus Labuschagne on Day 2 in Sydney to claim his 32nd wicket in the ongoing series. Bedi picked up 31 wickets during the 1977-78 tour.