Is Mohammed Siraj bowling with a niggle in the Gabba Test? Bumrah reveals

Jasprit Bumrah is credited with shouldering the Indian campaign down under entirely by himself, and rightfully so. The pace spearhead is the only consistent performer in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, where India won the opening Test under his captaincy. Since the Perth Test, the Indian batting lineup has repeatedly collapsed, first in Adelaide and more recently at the Gabba. To add to India's woes, Bumrah seems to be receiving little to no support from the other end. However, the seasoned pacer has no qualms about bowling alongside the likes of Siraj, Akash Deep, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, despite their less-than-impressive output in the BGT, especially in the Gabba Test.

Jasprit Bumrah hails the 'fighting spirit' of Mohammed Siraj

Jasprit Bumrah picked up a six-wicket haul to finally bring an end to Australia's batting onslaught in the third Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba. Bumrah dismissed openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney early in the innings. Although Travis Head and Steve Smith troubled the visitors significantly with their respective centuries, it was Bumrah who eventually provided the breakthrough.

The seamer claimed the wickets of Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, and Travis Head in quick succession on Day 2 of the Gabba Test. Bumrah returned on Day 3 to complete his six-wicket haul by dismissing Mitchell Starc. Meanwhile, Siraj took two wickets, while Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed one each to wrap up Australia's first innings at 445. In response, Indian batters struggled at 51 for 4 in the rain-affected innings, which was eventually called off early due to bad light.

At the conclusion of the day's play, Bumrah addressed the press conference. The seamer was asked about the team, and he informed the media that Siraj is bowling in Brisbane with a niggle. In his response, Bumrah explained that the team is in a transition phase and that he has no hesitation in putting in the hard work and supporting the young lineup.

“We don’t as a team point fingers at each other. That you should be doing this, that, etc. We are going through a transition as a bowling unit. I am trying to help them. They will get better. This is the journey to get there,” Bumrah stated.

Furthermore, Bumrah praised Mohammed Siraj for braving through a niggle in the ongoing BGT Test. The seamer hailed Siraj for his fighting spirit as he highlighted his 'great attitude'.

"In this game, I will give him credit that he had a little bit of a niggle but he still kept on bowling and still helped the team because he knew if he goes inside and he doesn’t bowl, then that team will go under pressure. So I think he has got a great attitude and he has got a fighter spirit that the team loves,” he said.

“I personally love that as well, that he is up for a fight and he always gives it all for the team. So I think that is the biggest positive for any cricketer going forward. That he gives it his absolute best on the field. And even when he is not 100% fit, when he has got a niggle, he is still fighting for the team. So that is a great attitude,” added Bumrah.

Siraj appeared to be in pain after clutching his hamstring following the second ball of the 37th over. The physio attended to him, and Siraj briefly left the field, with Akash Deep completing the over. Throughout the second day of the Gabba Test, Siraj was seen leaving the field several times, raising concerns within the bowling unit that has struggled to support Bumrah. Despite the injury, Siraj picked up key wickets, including those of Australia’s captain Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.