India’s ace bowler Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which begins on July 31 at The Oval. The decision was made by the BCCI medical staff based on workload management and long-term fitness considerations, particularly Bumrah’s back.
The decision was not surprising given that Bumrah was scheduled to play only three of the five Tests on the trip, a strategy agreed upon by team management and selectors prior to the series’ start that took the pacer’s workload into consideration. Though he was fit, the tight three-day turnaround between the fourth and fifth Tests, along with signs of weariness in Manchester, resulted in the predicted decision.
Bumrah has been brilliant throughout the series, taking 14 wickets, the joint-most by an Indian bowler. However, with flat conditions forecast at the Oval and a huge workload behind him, the visitors have decided to monitor their top fast bowler.
Here is how India’s pace attack could look like for 5th Test vs England without Jasprit Bumrah:
1. Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj is set to lead India’s pace attack in Bumrah’s absence, as he did in the second Test at Edgbaston, scoring a spectacular 6/70 in the first innings. The 31-year-old has bowled 139 overs in four Tests, more than Bumrah and the other pacers combined.
Siraj has 14 wickets in the series, including a match-winning effort at Edgbaston, and has played all four Tests thus far. Notably, his recent match at Old Trafford was his 40th Test appearance, becoming him India’s most capped red-ball cricketer of the decade.
2. Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm seamer, will make his Test debut in the Oval Test. The 26-year-old was set to play in the fourth Test in Manchester, but he had to withdraw owing to an impact injury to his left thumb, which he sustained when bowling in the nets during a training session.
Arshdeep excelled at India’s optional training session on Tuesday. With Bumrah resting to manage his workload and Anshul Kamboj likely to be replaced following a promising debut, Arshdeep will join Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep in India’s pace attack. According to sources, Arshdeep was in the management’s plans for the remaining leg of the season.
3. Akash Deep
Akash Deep is likely to return to India’s playing XI in Bumrah’s absence. Deep, who missed the fourth Test due to a groin injury, looked in good touch during India’s optional training session on Tuesday. The seamer had made an instant impact in the second Test at Edgbaston with a ten-wicket haul, including 6 for 99 in the second innings. Although he struggled at Lord’s, the greenish pitch at The Oval could play to his benefit.
