Jasprit Bumrah has confirmed he'll play only 3 Tests in the ongoing 5-match series against England.
Despite India's 0-1 deficit in the five-match series, head coach Gautam Gambhir is steadfast in his decision to use Jasprit Bumrah in just three Test matches during the current England trip. At Headingley, Bumrah was the only shining star in an otherwise unimpressive bowling display.
According to Ravi Shastri, that approach might result in Bumrah missing the second Test at Edgbaston, which raises concerns. The former head coach cautioned that another loss could occur if India's top bowler is rested right now.
Jasprit Bumrah’s back injury that resurfaced during the Sydney Test earlier this year led to him missing three months of cricket. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Bumrah will play only 3 Tests out of the five against England to maintain his workload.
Jasprit Bumrah picked 5/83 for India in England’s first innings of the Leeds Test. He went wicketless in the second innings as India lost by 5 wickets. However, despite this, India coach Gautam Gambhir has stated that there are no intentions to alter the workload of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah.
"I think for us to manage Bumrah's workload is more important because there's a lot of cricket going forward, and we know what he brings to the table as well. So, before he came on this tour, it was already decided that he's going to play three Test matches, but let's see how his body turns up. But we haven't decided which two other Test matches he's going to play,” Gambhir stated in the post-match press conference.
Ravi Shastri thought it might be in Birmingham because the management would want to bring him in for the Lord's Test, even though India hasn't decided which of the two games will take place yet. The series might end for them in Edgbaston, though, as the former India all-rounder acknowledged that resting Bumrah in the second Test will undoubtedly result in another loss.
“Bumrah said he'll play three Test matches. Now, which of the three he'll play, that's, you know, another question to be asked. I think if he takes a break, it'll be the next one, because he'll definitely want to play at Lord's, right? And there's a break, and then you go into Lord's, then there's a break, and then there's a choice between Manchester and the same. It could be 2-0 down. So that is the problem. I think he has got to play,” Shastri spoke on Sky Cricket.
Shastri added that if India wants to have a shot in the series, they must win the second game after falling behind 0-1. Gambhir himself would be eager to get things back on track in England after losing to New Zealand at home and then going on tour in Australia, especially considering how close they were in the Leeds game.
“It will be a tough pill to swallow because I was just telling him, back in the commentary box, that we lost 3-0 against New Zealand, lost a series in Australia. Now, this is a tough series. You had your opportunity to go one up here, you know, with England having problems with their bowling attack, the injuries that they have. And you've blown it.
And now it's catch-up time. You're going to go and show some real character. And the knockout punch has to come in the very next Test match. If that doesn't happen, then you're really looking down. So, whenever there's a counterpunch, you're down. That has to happen quite immediately. So, they have to realise that,” he said.
The second Test between England and India will be played at Edgbaston from July 2 onwards.