India head coach Gautam Gambhir hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing veteran pacer Jasprit Bumrah in the final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Trailing in the ongoing Test series against England, India must win the final game to level the series. Naturally, they’ll want to field their strongest XI at The Oval — and that could mean playing Bumrah for a third consecutive match.
The fourth Test ended in a draw on the final day at Old Trafford, thanks to centuries from Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar in the second innings, which helped India avoid defeat.
Gill’s side began the five-match series with a loss at Headingley, bounced back with a win in Edgbaston, but fell behind again after a dramatic defeat at Lord’s. Now, following the draw in Manchester, they must win the final Test to avoid losing the series.
Given the current situation, India will be desperate to have their top bowler available. However, before the series began, team management had planned to use Bumrah in only three Tests due to workload management. He has already featured in three games so far.
This has raised the question — will Bumrah play the final Test?
India captain Shubman Gill didn’t give a clear answer during his appearance on BBC’s Test Match Special.
“If he feels completely fit and ready to go, I think it’s great for us. And if he doesn’t play, I still believe we have a strong bowling attack.”
At Old Trafford, Bumrah wasn’t at his best. He bowled 33 overs in England’s only innings, picking up just two wickets while conceding 112 runs — the first time in his Test career that he’s given away 100+ runs in an innings. His pace also appeared to dip during the match.
Still, India had little choice but to play him in Manchester due to a string of injuries in the pace attack. Akash Deep missed out with a groin issue, and Arshdeep Singh was ruled out due to a finger injury. With Prasidh Krishna benched, debutant Anshul Kamboj was drafted in.
Gill confirmed that Akash Deep, who played two Tests earlier in the series, has recovered. Meanwhile, Gambhir said all his fast bowlers, including Bumrah, are now fully fit. He didn’t rule out Bumrah’s participation in the final game.
“All the fast bowlers are fit. There’s no injury concern.”
“We haven’t discussed the combination for the final Test. No decision has been made yet on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Whoever plays in the end will give their all to win the match for the country.”
India trail the five-match series 2-1. The decisive fifth Test begins this Thursday at The Oval, with India aiming to square the series at 2-2.
