India won’t have their ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the crucial Oval Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. In his absence, Akash Deep is likely to return to the playing XI.
With India needing a win to draw the series, the absence of their top fast bowler is a significant blow. After days of deliberation, it’s been confirmed that Bumrah will not play the final Test at The Oval. Instead, Akash Deep, who has recovered from an injury, is expected to step in.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the decision was taken based on advice from the BCCI medical team. The aim is to manage Bumrah’s long-standing back issue and prioritize his long-term fitness.
The news doesn’t come as a total surprise. Even before the series began, it was speculated that Bumrah would be rested for two of the five Tests. After playing the first Test at Headingley, he was rested for the second in Edgbaston despite a one-week break. He then played back-to-back matches at Lord’s and Old Trafford, and now will sit out the decider.
There’s just a three-day gap between the fourth and fifth Tests, which already made Bumrah’s participation unlikely. However, since he didn’t bowl after the fourth morning in the Old Trafford Test, there was faint hope he might return. Head coach Gautam Gambhir had said after that match that no final call had been made. Now, that decision has finally been taken.
Bumrah’s underwhelming performance in the last Test also played a part. After stellar spells in the previous two matches, he looked off-color at Old Trafford. He bowled 33 overs — his second-highest in a single innings — conceding 112 runs for just two wickets. It was the first time in his Test career that he gave up over 100 runs in an innings.
What raised more concern was his declining pace. At Headingley, 42.7% of his first-innings deliveries crossed 140 kph. That dropped to 22.3% at Lord’s and shockingly, to just 0.5% at Old Trafford. While the slow, lifeless pitch may have contributed, the Indian medical team believes his body couldn’t cope with the back-to-back Tests — and they’re not willing to risk him further.
Unless there’s a dramatic last-minute change, Akash Deep is set to return. He was instrumental in India’s big win at Edgbaston, taking 10 wickets. But a groin strain ruled him out of the Old Trafford match. He’s now reportedly fit and ready.
More changes could be on the cards for India’s bowling unit. Anshul Kamboj, who had a lackluster debut at Old Trafford, could make way for either Arshdeep Singh or Prasidh Krishna. Shardul Thakur’s spot is also under scrutiny. There’s been ongoing debate about leaving out left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, but with both Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar scoring centuries in Manchester to save the match, Kuldeep’s inclusion seems unlikely.
One change is confirmed — Dhruv Jurel will replace the injured Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.
The fifth and final Test at The Oval begins Thursday. England lead the series 2-1.
