Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah said it was frustrating that he missed the crunch finale to their test series against Australia on Sunday, but said he was buoyed by what he saw from India.
5⃣ matches.
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 5, 2025
3⃣2⃣ Wickets 🫡
Incredible spells ⚡️#TeamIndia Captain Jasprit Bumrah becomes the Player of the series 👏👏#AUSvIND | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/vNzPsmf4pv
The star quick bowler suffered a back niggle during the fifth test in Sydney on Saturday and went for scans, ultimately forced to watch from the sidelines as Australia chased 162 to win.
He was the standout bowler, taking 32 wickets at 13.02 to be named player of the series, and his absence was a major blow to the team's hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
He was devastating at times, so it's no surprise to see Jasprit Bumrah named the NRMA Insurance Player of the Series. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/7qFlYcjD2d
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2025
"A little frustrating but sometimes you have to respect your body. You can't fight your body," he said after the six-wicket loss and 3-1 series defeat.
"A little disappointing that I probably missed out on the spiciest wicket of the series but that's the way it is.
"I felt a bit of discomfort during my second spell in the first innings."
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were left to lead the attack and while they did well, it was not enough.
Despite the agonising defeat, India will take plenty of positives from the five tests, with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal further cementing his position in the side.
THE MOST HEARTBREAKING PICTURE FOR EVERY INDIAN. 💔
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 5, 2025
- This man Jasprit Bumrah gives everything in this BGT..!!!! pic.twitter.com/1HKD9irLIh
Allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy impressed in his debut series, as did Washington Sundar, while Rishabh Pant proved once again why he is one of the most exciting players in the game.
"They've (youngsters) gained a lot of experience, they'll go from strength to strength," said Bumrah, captaining the side after the out-of-form Rohit Sharma "rested".
"We've shown that we have a lot of talent in our group. A lot of the youngsters are keen, they're disappointed that we haven't won but they'll take learnings from this experience."
Reflecting on letting the series, and the decisive fifth test, slip away, he added: "Lots of ifs and buts because the whole series was well-fought.
"Today as well. We were in the game. It was not like it was totally one-sided.
"This is how test series go in the nervy moments, whichever team holds their nerve for the longest time and sticks together will win the series.
"It was a well fought series, a lot of good learnings for us ... being in the game for longer, creating pressure and sometimes absorbing pressure when the wickets are difficult and sometimes playing to the situation."