Will Jasprit Bumrah Play In 5th Test: With only a gap of three days between the fourth and the fifth Tests of the IND vs ENG Test series, and India needing a win at The Oval to draw the series level at 2-2, the visitors will ponder hard over pushing Jasprit Bumrah for one more Test match or resting him from the last game.
It had been said, before the start of the series, that Bumrah could play in three Tests in this five-match IND vs ENG series due to his workload management that has been planned following the stress reaction in his back earlier this year, which forced him to miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
India escaped with a draw in the IND vs ENG 4th Test in Manchester as the batsmen put on a magnificent effort for five sessions.
After conceding a first innings deficit of 311 runs and losing two wickets without adding a single run on the scoreboard, four Indian batters—KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar—batted out five sessions to secure a draw.
The draw in Manchester meant India kept themselves alive in the series, keeping the possibility of a 2-2 draw open if they win the fifth Test at the Oval.
The IND vs ENG 5th Test will be played at the Oval in London from July 31. This means there is a break of only three days now, which is the shortest turnaround between any two Tests in this series.
Questions in the Indian camp will circle around their pace attack, specifically Jasprit Bumrah, who has played three Tests in this series, having been rested from the second Test.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir tackled this question in the press conference following the 4th Test in Manchester.
IND vs ENG: Will Jasprit Bumrah Play In 5th Test At The Oval?
After the 4th Test, Gambhir said that all India fast bowlers, including Bumrah, are “fit” and available for selection for the 5th Test. With the series at 2-1 and India in a must-win position for the 5th Test, Jasprit Bumrah might feature at The Oval.
“All the fast bowlers are fit. There are no injury concerns,” Gambhir said. This statement from Gambhir is a massive boost for the Indian pace attack as Akash Deep, who missed the 4th Test due to a groin issue, could return to the line-up in the 5th Test, likely replacing Anshul Kamboj, who was down on pace in the 4th Test and off-color throughout.
“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,” Gambhir added.
Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh are other pace options for India in their squad.
Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant, who suffered a broken foot in Manchester, is ruled out of the fifth Test. Tamil Nadu’s N. Jagadeesan has been added to the squad for the 5th Test, with Dhruv Jurel set to feature as the keeper-batsman at The Oval.
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