Ricky Ponting's sinister claim about Jasprit Bumrah as Australians secure their 56-year-old top spot

Australia have recorded a historic victory over India at the SCG after Ricky Ponting's introduction Jasprit Bumrah's injury is much worse than what the tourists say. The Indian captain did not take the field for Australia's second innings on Sunday, and the tourists sorely missed their star bowler as Australia chased down 162 to win with six wickets in hand.

The 3-1 series victory means Australia now lift the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade, and it is the first time in 56 years that they have come back from a 0-1 deficit to win at home. win series. Bumrah was sorely missed on Sunday as the Indian bowlers ran out of steam after a long run.

The Indian camp claimed on Saturday evening that Bumrah was suffering from “back spasms”, but speculation is rife that something more sinister is going on. The captain left the ground and was escorted to hospital by an ambulance on Saturday afternoon. Initial reports claimed he was going to get a scan.

But veteran journalist Peter Lalor revealed on Sunday morning that Bumrah was more likely to go to hospital to get a shot because there are scanning machines at the SCG. “My email is that he didn't go for a scan,” Lalor told Channel 7. “They have scanning machines in the changing rooms. He went for an injection. Probably cortisone.”

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Bumrah underwent surgery for a stress fracture in his back in 2023 and India would be very careful if he has a recurrence. “He had a back spasm,” teammate Prasidh Krishna told the media on Saturday evening. “He has had scans done so the medical team is keeping an eye on it. We will know (if he will continue to play) when the medical team contacts us.”

Ricky Ponting suggests Jasprit Bumrah's injury is much worse

Discussing the situation on Sunday morning, Ponting pointed to the fact that Bumrah ran off the ground to suggest that the 'back spasms' claim is a smokescreen. “It seemed like a real concern to me,” Ponting said on Channel 7. “They said he had back spasms when he got back (to the SCG).

“[But] he runs up the stairs. He ran off the field. Those are not signs or symptoms of back spasms. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope it does. I would like to see him continue to participate in this competition and not be out for a longer period of time again, like he was a few years ago with the stress fractures.”

Darren Lehmann and Michael Vaughan call out the Bumrah truth

Pat Cummins' side were on 162 to win on Sunday after India were bowled out for 157 early on day three. On Saturday, former Australian coach Lehmann said on Triple M radio that India could not win if Bumrah did not bowl – and he was right.

“If Bumrah doesn't bowl, Australia wins,” he said. “He has been the most dangerous bowler for India and with all due respect, the other guys won't be able to do that.”

And former England captain Vaughan agreed, telling Fox Cricket: We've all seen enough cricket that when a player goes into a vehicle to go get scans, it's not just a back spasm, it's got to be something worse than that. I would even go so far as to say that Australia will win the match if he finishes bowling in the second innings.”

India loses series to Australia and Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Bumrah has done the lion's share for the Indian bowlers throughout the series, taking as many as 32 wickets. He did not warm up with the rest of the Indian bowlers on Sunday morning, although he did come into bat and score a duck.

But he was noticeably absent during Australia's second innings. Before playing on day three, Mohammed Siraj had 19 wickets while the next best was Nitish Kumar Reddy with five and Ravindra Jadeja with four.

Commenting for Fox Cricket, Australian great Brett Lee said the loss of Bumrah was a “terrible” blow to India, while others pointed out that India's second-innings total of 157 was not nearly enough if Bumrah could not bowl.