BGT 2024-25: "Relieved.." Usman Khawaja reacts to Jasprit Bumrah not bowling in last innings of the SCG test

Jasprit Bumrah took 32 wickets in the BGT 2024-25.

Australia clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 with the series scoreline reading 3-1 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Sunday. The win meant Australia won the trophy for the first time since 2015.

Coming to Sydney 2-1 down, India heavily relied on Jasprit Bumrah, who ended the series as the leading wicket-taker with 32 wickets in nine innings at an average of 13.

India started the game on a poor note getting bowled out for just 185 runs. In reply, Bumrah dismissed Queensland pair Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja for single-digit scores, putting pressure on Australia.

The setback for India came in the post lunch session of day 2 when Bumrah left for scans after feeling back discomfort. The reports later revealed that he could bat, but the final decision on his bowling would be made on the morning of day 3.

Unfortunately, Bumrah wasn’t fit enough to bowl in the final innings of the game. His absence meant India were down to just two fast bowlers – Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Despite being 58/3 at one point, the hosts successfully chased down 162 runs with six wickets in hand.

Following the match, Australia opener Usman Khawaja, who got out to Bumrah six times in the series, shared his thoughts on how it felt when Bumrah didn’t bowl in the last innings.

Usman Khawaja on Jasprit Bumrah’s absence in the last innings of SCG test

Speaking to ABC Sport after the SCG test, Khawaja said it’s never nice to see anyone get injured, but the Australian team felt a sense of relief with Bumrah’s absence in the final innings.

Khawaja said, “You never want to see anyone getting injured and it’s a shame he was. But you know, thank god for us because today would have been an absolute nightmare facing him on that wicket.“

“You can see how big part of the team he was and everyone felt it. As soon as we didn’t see Bumrah out there we had the sense of feeling like, alright we actually got a chance here.“

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