Indian cricket fans and experts showered praise on stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah after the intense five-match Test series against Australia, even though India suffered a 3-1 loss. The series defeat left many questioning the future of some veteran players in the team.

Bumrah, known for his exceptional bowling skills, became the bright spot in an otherwise disappointing series for India. The team’s performance came under heavy scrutiny following their six-wicket defeat in the final Test held in Sydney. Headlines reflected the mood, with phrases like “Trophy lost, questions aplenty, uncertain future” summing up the situation.

Concerns were raised about some senior players, as the dressing room atmosphere seemed tense. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli faced criticism for their lackluster performances. Sharma, who averaged just 10.9 runs across his last eight Tests, did not play in the final match due to poor form, leading to speculation about whether he stepped down voluntarily or was dropped. Kohli, apart from a brilliant unbeaten century in Perth, repeatedly got out after edging to the wicketkeeper or slips.

Despite the team’s struggles, Jasprit Bumrah shone brightly. Leading the side in the final Test, Bumrah finished the series with an outstanding 32 wickets at an average of just 13.06, earning him the Man of the Series award. His exceptional bowling performances were a rare silver lining in an otherwise gloomy campaign. Experts lauded him, with statements like “Superhuman Jasprit Bumrah was let down by colossal batting failures and questionable team selections.”

Veteran cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle called watching Bumrah bowl one of the highlights of his career, despite acknowledging that Australia’s victory was well-deserved. However, India suffered a major blow when Bumrah picked up a back injury during the final Test. After undergoing scans, he had to sit out the rest of the match. Reflecting on this setback, cricket journalist Ayaz Memon noted that while India fought hard, losing Bumrah made it nearly impossible to recover.

In summary, while India’s series loss to Australia has raised tough questions about its seasoned players and team dynamics, Jasprit Bumrah’s extraordinary performance stood out as a beacon of hope for Indian cricket’s future.