Bumrah to miss final Test against England
Jasprit Bumrah
Despite trailing 1-2 in the series and with a chance to level it in the fifth and final Test at The Oval, the BCCI medical team has reportedly made the tough decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah.
According to an ESPNCricinfo report, Bumrah—the world’s top-ranked bowler—will sit out the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy to safeguard his back and ensure long-term fitness. A fully recovered Akash Deep is set to replace him in India’s playing XI.
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Even before the series began, head coach Gautam Gambhir and Bumrah had made it clear that the pacer would feature in only three of the five Tests, as his body couldn’t handle more.
The last time he tried to push himself in Australia, he aggravated his back injury—something that could have had serious implications on his career.
Despite this prior understanding, there had been whispers of Bumrah returning for one final push at The Oval to help India draw the series.
After all, he hadn’t bowled since the morning of Day 4 in the fourth Test at Manchester.
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However, with just a short three-day gap between matches, a likely flat Oval pitch, and ongoing workload management concerns, India ultimately chose not to take the risk.
Akash Deep, who missed the fourth Test due to a groin injury, is now fully fit and expected to make a comeback.
He was India’s standout bowler in the Edgbaston Test, claiming 10 wickets.
Additionally, Arshdeep Singh is set to make his Test debut, replacing Anshul Kamboj, while Mohammed Siraj is almost certain to play his fifth consecutive Test.
