'If Jasprit Bumrah gets injured forget about series': Ex-India batter warns Rohit Sharma and Co. amid concerns

Jasprit Bumrah has so far scalped 12 wickets in two Tests (BCCI Photo)

Team India is engaged in a five-match Test series against Australia in Down Under and after two matches the contest stands at 1-1. While the batters are yet to stamp their authority, barring the second innings in Perth, one name that has stood out from the Indian camp is Jasprit Bumrah.

The "smiling assassin" led the side from front in the series opener with Rohit Sharma yet to join the squad in Australia. Bumrah then scalped a total of eight wickets in both innings combined and gave his side an edge despite posting a modest 150 on the board in first innings. Bumrah continued the show in the pink ball affair at the Adelaide Oval but failed to find the required support from his colleagues in both departments. Bumrah returned with four wickets and later Mohammed Siraj joined hands and finished the match with the same number of scalps.

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During the second Test there was a sign of worry for Indian supporters as Bumrah went down clutching his inner thigh in the first over with the second new ball in Australia's first innings. The physios were quick to act and Bumrah continued to bowl after the medical assist, thus bringing a sigh of relief to many. But it has been pointed by many that his speed dropped drastically in the second innings, despite him bowling just one over. This, however, raises concerns over his participation in the third Test, which starts from December 14 in Brisbane.

Ex-India player Mohammad Kaif weighed-in on the same and made a blunt assessment. He warned Rohit and Co. that if Bumrah gets injured "forget the series" and went to highlight this as the reason behind Rohit giving short spells to Bumrah.

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"No need to panic that much, it's just 1-1. It's alright. We've lost one Test; there is no need to behave like all is lost. The plannings need to be better; tactical moves need to come into play. Rohit was not up to the mark as captain. And of course, Jasprit Bumrah. You can't give long spells to Bumrah. He's the only bowler. I have never seen a team that depends only on one player. Ashwin is not playing, Jadeja is not playing. If Bumrah gets injured, you forget about the series. That's why Rohit is giving him short spells," Kaif said in a video shared on his social media handles.

"Bumrah is being looked after. Rohit Sharma has been told to take care of him, so that he stays fit. He shouldn't break down as he is the lone pacer," he added.