Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the upcoming fourth Test remains uncertain.
India fell just 22 runs short in a thrilling third Test against England at Lord’s, thereby going 1-2 down in the five-match series.
After the narrow defeat, India skipper Shubman Gill remained tight-lipped on Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the fourth Test in Manchester, slated to begin on July 23.
Notably, Bumrah was rested for the second Test at Edgbaston to manage his workload. The plan was always going to make the ace pacer play three Tests and head coach Gautam Gambhir had said that it won't be altered despite the loss in the series opener at Headingley.
Meanwhile, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has questioned utilization of Bumrah while praising England skipper Ben Stokes for his performance in the third Test.
Despite being an injury-prone player in recent years, Stokes sent down 44 overs at Lord’s and picked up five wickets besides scoring 77 runs and effecting the game-changing run-out of Rishabh Pant. He was eventually adjudged Player-of-the-Match.
Pathan suggested that in their fear of managing Bumrah’s workload, the visitors may have missed a trick by not pushing the pace spearhead further.
“It is disappointing (India’s defeat). Ben Stokes bowled a marathon spell of 9.2 overs. He bats, bowls, effects run-outs but nobody talks about (his) workload when he’s bowling. Jasprit Bumrah bowled five overs and then was taken off when Joe Root walked—it was the phase when you had to take control of the game," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
“His (Bumrah’s) workload was managed when he was rested (for 2nd Test at Edgbaston). When you are playing the match, then there’s no concept of workload. The only focus is on winning the match and giving your all. This could have been better," he added.
Pathan also cited the example of Jofra Archer to back his observation. “Jofra Archer, playing a Test after four years, bowls a six-over spell on the fifth day of the match. Before this, he bowled 18 overs in a first-class match. And even after that, he was relentless," Pathan stated.
“Stokes wears several hats – batting, bowling, captaincy, fielding – he does everything. If he can bowl a 9-over spell for his team, then I feel we were left behind here. You expect your top bowler to seize the moment and get Joe Root out. It’s a bit disappointing," he remarked.
Pathan also pointed out that conceding 63 extra runs also meant India couldn’t take control of the game. In comparison, England gave 44 extra runs during the contest.
“India gave away 63 extras. If they had given half of those in the two innings combined, even then they could have taken control," he said.