With Jasprit Bumrah having played three Test on India’s ongoing England tour, as was the plan, will the fast bowler miss their quest for a series-leveling win in the fifth and final match to be held at The Oval from July 31? India head coach Gautam Gambhir allayed fears over the fitness of his fast bowlers claiming no injury concerns but refused to confirm whether Bumrah will be part of the fifth Test.
On Sunday, India produced a monumental effort with the bat in ensuring the fourth Test in Manchester ends in a draw after playing the catch-up for the better part of the contest. Centuries from captain Shubman Gill and the allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar helped India to 425/4 in the final session of the contest before the two teams shook hands to settle for a draw.
During the Test, Bumrah’s pace was down, and he was also seen hobbling towards the Indian dressing room, struggling to climb up the stairs raising injury fears. Fast bowler Akash Deep is already recovering from a groin issue while Arshdeep Singh cut his bowling hand ahead of the match and Mohammed Siraj has been bowling relentlessly having played all the four Tests.
“All the fast bowlers are fit. There are no injury concerns,” Gambhir said on Sunday.
When asked if Bumrah will still be rested for the final Test given he has already played three matches, Gambhir replied, “We haven’t had any conversation around the combination for the last Test. No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country.”
