Jasprit Bumrah will not be part of India’s playing XI for the fifth and final Test against England, scheduled to begin Thursday at The Oval. The decision has been taken as part of workload management.
BCCI medical team steps in
The BCCI’s medical team has advised Bumrah to sit out the series final test to protect his back and ensure long-term fitness. The Indian pace spearhead has already played three of the four Tests in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. Ahead of the tour, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had stated that Bumrah would not play more than three matches in the five-Test series.
Despite the crucial nature of the upcoming match, which will decide the series result, the medical staff has stuck to the original plan. “The decision is in line with safeguarding his back and keeping the long-term in mind,” the report quoted the medical team.
Akash Deep likely to back in playing XI
Akash Deep, who missed the fourth Test due to a groin injury, is expected to return in place of Bumrah. He had impressed in the second Test at Edgbaston, claiming a ten-wicket haul.
Earlier, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had suggested that Bumrah was fit based on workload metrics and did not entirely rule him out of the fifth Test. Head coach Gautam Gambhir had also hinted that Bumrah might feature in the decider.
Dip in effectiveness despite leading wicket tally
In the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Bumrah bowled 33 overs in the first innings — the most in a single Test innings in his career — and returned figures of 2 for 103, marking the first time he conceded over 100 runs in an innings.
Notably, his pace dropped as the series progressed. The percentage of deliveries bowled over 140kph fell from 42.7% at Headingley to just 0.5% in Manchester.
Despite that, Bumrah remains India’s joint leading wicket-taker in the series with 14 wickets, sharing the spot with Mohammed Siraj.
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