India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has had a great Test series in England so far as he is the second leading wicket-taker in the series with 18 wickets to his name in four Test matches.
With Bumrah playing four Tests against England on the trot, the team management might be thinking about giving the pacer some rest ahead of IPL 2021 followed by the T20 World Cup in UAE.
But former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar feels the 27-year-old shouldn’t be rested as the Test series is not over yet.
“I think in my view, you’re still playing for India and the series is yet to be won. If you are 2-0 up, then rest Bumrah, but we still haven’t won the series so Bumrah has to play,” Gavaskar said.
The legendary India batsman then talked about how he reckons Mohammad Shami should be back in the XI for the fifth and final Test against England at Old Trafford in Manchester.
“Shami walks into the team. There’s no question about it. The only question is… whether Shami comes in place of Siraj - because he was just off colour in this particular game - so that’s the only area where I see the opportunity to make a chance. But he has to come in, there’s no question about it,” the Mumbai-based cricketer said.
According to a source, Shami has recovered from the niggle and is fit to be back for the upcoming Test against England.
“Shami is fit. And when Shami is fit, he is an automatic choice,” a senior BCCI official privy to the developments, told PTI.
With India taking an unbeatable 2-1 lead in this Test series owing to a 157-run victory at The Oval, it will be exciting to see how both India and England go about their game in the final Test match at Old Trafford from September 10.
