Bumrah’s participation in the upcoming fourth Test at Old Trafford remains a mystery.
Jasprit Bumrah’s participation in the fourth Test at Old Trafford remains a mystery. The ace pacer was rested for the second Test against England at Edgbaston to manage his workload.
On his return at Lord’s, Bumrah returned with a five-wicket haul in England’s first innings. However, India lost the third Test by a narrow margin of 22 runs to concede 1-2 lead in the five-match series.
The plan was always going to make Bumrah 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.
After the Lord’s defeat, India skipper Shubman Gill kept the fans and analysts guessing regarding Bumrah’s availability for the penultimate Test, saying: "You will get to know about it soon".
Meanwhile, former England cricketer David Lloyd has added to the growing speculations with what many called an extraordinary dig on Jasprit Bumrah.
Speaking to TalkSport Cricket, Lloyd suggested that with the series on the line, India’s best hope would be to field Bumrah in the penultimate Test at Old Trafford, starting on July 23.
However, Lloyd added that if the tourists manage to level the series once again, they might be tempted to play Bumrah in the fifth Test at The Oval as well.
“It is what they've said and what the coach Gautam Gambhir said that he will play three out of the five Tests. So, he's got a choice. There are two matches to go. He's played two. If they are true to their words, he should play this next game at Old Trafford. But then, you know, they can manoeuvre that, can't they? If he plays this next one at Old Trafford and they get a result to make it 2-2, you'd think he'd play at The Oval as well. I'm second-guessing, but I think he'll play this next game and see where they are. If England go 3-1, he won't play. But if it's 2-2, he will play at the Oval,” Lloyd said.
When the anchor mentioned that India’s only win in the series so far came in Bumrah’s absence, David Lloyd remarked: “That's extraordinary. There was something that said when he plays they lose more than when he doesn't play, and he is like the best bowler in the world. And he is awkward and nasty with his action, but a thoroughly decent fella.”
Since his debut in January 2018, Jasprit Bumrah has represented India in 47 Tests so far. The team has a 20-23 win-loss record in his presence, with four matches ending in a draw.
However, in the 27 Test matches that Bumrah did not play in this phase, India lost just five of them. They won on 19 occasions, while three ended in a draw.