The biggest conundrum for India would be to play or rest Jasprit Bumrah. Jasprit Bumrah wouldn’t have been in the scheme of things had India lost in Manchester, but given the significance of the contest at the Oval, the management is giving serious thought about playing Jasprit Bumrah. India have raised eyebrows with bold selection calls throughout the series, but they need to be spot on with their tactics at the Oval.
However, nothing is confirmed, and India will adopt a ‘wildcard’ approach for Jasprit Bumrah, with a call on him to be taken in the next 24 hours, according to a report in TOI. Jasprit Bumrah looked in some discomfort in Manchester, but coach Gautam Gambhir said that all bowlers are fit and available for selection. Meanwhile, Gambhir’s statement almost confirms that Akash Deep, who missed the fourth Test, will return to the playing XI for Anshul Kamboj.
With Jasprit Bumrah having played three Test on India’s ongoing England tour, as was the plan, will the fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah miss their quest for a series-leveling win in the fifth and final match to be held at The Oval from July 31.
Jasprit Bumrah has 4 five-wicket hauls in England, the most for an Indian in Test cricket. No other Indian has more than two fifers in this regard. Notably, Jasprit Bumrah is yet to take a match haul of 10 wickets in England. Two of Jasprit Bumrah’s fifers in England have come in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The premier pacer took 5/83 at Headingley and 5/74 at Lord’s, albeit both in a losing cause. At Lord’s, he recorded his 13th Test fifer away from home, breaking Kapil Dev’s record of 12.
However amidst this record, one thing was visible that Jasprit Bumrah was not in his full rhythm bowling at Manchester. He bowled cautiously as if he was carrying some niggle . This came as a major concern as Indian spearhead almost went wicketless until the fag end of the Day where he got his sole wicket of Jamie Smith.
Jasprit Bumrah limping to the dressing room -A worrying sign for Team India
Jasprit Bumrah, highly regarded as the “world’s best” of the current generation, has fizzled out in India’s baptism by fire in England. He cast a spell in the first innings of the series opener at Headingley with a sizzling five-wicket haul, but soon started to fade away.He went wicketless in the second innings but returned to Lord’s with another sweltering five-for. In Manchester, he has enjoyed minimal success with a sole scalp of Jamie Smith to his name after 28 overs. This has been Bumrah’s story throughout India’s tour of England.
Ace India pacer Jasprit Bumrah was seen limping while climbing the stairs at the Old Trafford stadium on Day 3 of the Manchester Test, raising concerns about his fitness even as India stare at a series defeat, with England bagging control of the fourth Test and the visitors’ injury list increasing. Jasprit Bumrah was unavailable to bowl for a while during the first two sessions of the Manchester Test, after he reportedly twisted his ankle while climbing up the stairs.
Doubts started to surface when Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t return for a second spell after bowling only one over with the second new ball. Concerns grew after commentators confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah had left the field to receive treatment. As the overs ticked by and Joe Root, along with England skipper Ben Stokes, neutralised the new ball, Jasprit Bumrah’s continued absence started to be felt. The camera caught Jasprit Bumrah seated just beyond the boundary beside his teammates, a faint expression of pain visible on his face.
As the next over got underway, Jasprit Bumrah appeared uncomfortable while fielding near the boundary. His expression said it all; he wasn’t at full fitness. Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir allayed fears over the fitness of his fast bowlers claiming no injury concerns but refused to confirm whether Jasprit Bumrah will be part of the fifth Test. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also supporting Gautam Gambhir has provided un update on the availibility of Jasprit Bumrah.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak provides an update on availiability of Jasprit Bumrah ahead of 5th Test at Oval.
With the fifth and final test match happening just a day after, all eyes remain on Team India’s squad selection as it would be necessary to implement in-form players at The Oval against England. Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s availability becomes a subject of hot debate, as Team India needs to balance his workload to avoid injuries.
The suspense over Bumrah’s availability continues to remain uncertain as coach Sitanshu Kotak did not present a definite response. While he agreed that “Bumrah is fit,” a call is yet to be made on whether he would be a part of Team India in the must-win test at London. Speaking at the press conference, ahead of the 5th Test at Oval Sitanshu Kotak said :
“No discussion on Jasprit Bumrah playing. Bumrah is fit now. According to his load, he has bowled one inning in the last match. So, obviously head coach, our physio and captain, will have a discussion and decide.”
Bumrah has 4 five-wicket hauls in England, the most for an Indian in Test cricket. No other Indian has more than two fifers in this regard. Notably, Bumrah is yet to take a match haul of 10 wickets in England. Two of Bumrah’s fifers in England have come in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The premier pacer took 5/83 at Headingley and 5/74 at Lord’s, albeit both in a losing cause. At Lord’s, he recorded his 13th Test fifer away from home, breaking Kapil Dev’s record of 12.
Bumrah has once again been one of the best bowlers for India in the Test series. He has so far bagged a total of 14 wickets in four matches against England, including two five-wicket hauls and an average of 26.00. However, he didnt gave a great bowlinjg performance in the Manchester Test and was only able to pick up two scalps while giving away 112 runs in his 33-over spell.
Meanwhile, England head into the fifth match leading the series by 2-1. The draw at Old Trafford saw India lose all their chances of winning the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and they will now be trying to emerge victorious in the final Test at The Oval so that they can level the series up by 2-2. However, any other result would see England become the team to win the first-ever Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Jasprit Bumrah will play only three of the five Tests owing to workload management and seeing his condition at Manchester it is evident that this could be his last Test match in the series until he decided to play at Oval on 31st July.
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