Was Jasprit Bumrah risked in Sydney Test? Reports suggest harm was done in Melbourne

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Jasprit Bumrah's stellar Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign, which saw him secure a record 32 wickets, ended on a heartbreaking note during the Sydney Test. The ace Indian pacer, who carried the team's hopes amid batting inconsistencies and a thin bowling lineup, was sidelined on Day 2 of the final Test due to a back injury.

While the injury became apparent in Sydney, Australian media, notably Fox Sports, claims the real damage occurred earlier during the fourth Test in Melbourne. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Bumrah's herculean efforts were on full display as he dismantled Australia's middle-order with three wickets in quick succession on Day 4.

However, a viral video from the same day revealed the exhaustion beneath his heroics. In the clip, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma is seen urging Bumrah to bowl another over to dislodge the stubborn Australian tail. The visibly drained bowler, with a mix of frustration and fatigue, responds, "Bas abhi. Nahi lag raha hai zor" (Enough now. I can't push more). Despite his exhaustion, Bumrah returned the next morning to claim his third five-wicket haul of the series.

The toll of his efforts was evident as Bumrah bowled a staggering 53.2 overs in the match - the most he has ever bowled in a single Test. According to Fox Sports, this overwork at the MCG may have planted the seeds for his eventual breakdown in Sydney. The report describes a poignant moment post-Day 4, when all players left the field except Bumrah, who remained hunched over on the pitch, gasping for air in solitude. It was a defining image of a warrior pushed to his limits.

Critics now question India's workload management of its star bowler, with Fox Sports bluntly stating, "India had cooked its golden goose.". The injury not only robbed India of its premier bowler in the decider but now also raised concerns about the long-term impact on Bumrah's career.