India to Determine Bumrah’s Participation Based on Pitch Conditions

LONDON: India’s captain, Shubman Gill, announced on Wednesday that the team will decide whether to include premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in their lineup just before the fifth and final Test against England. The match is scheduled to take place at The Oval from July 31 to August 4.

The Indian team, currently trailing England 2-1 in the five-match series, is carefully monitoring Bumrah’s workload to ensure his long-term fitness, particularly concerning his back.

It was previously agreed upon that the pace bowler would participate in only three of the five Test matches during the England tour.

He played in the first match at Headingley, was rested for the second at Edgbaston, and then rejoined the team for the third and fourth matches at Lord’s and Old Trafford, respectively.

Recent reports in Indian media suggested that Jasprit Bumrah might not play in the final Test, even though India has the opportunity to level the series 2-2 with a victory at The Oval.

However, according to the most recent update, captain Gill has clarified that the decision regarding Bumrah’s inclusion will depend on an assessment of the pitch on the day of the match, considering the high stakes.

“We will decide [on Bumrah] tomorrow; the pitch appears very green. So, we will observe how it develops,” Gill stated at the pre-match press briefing.

The English side has been dealt a significant blow as their captain, Ben Stokes, has been ruled out of the fifth Test due to a biceps tendon injury.

Gill described the injury as a major setback for the hosts, emphasizing Stokes’s all-around capabilities.

“Definitely a big loss for England,” Gill commented. “Whenever he bowls or bats, he brings excitement and creates opportunities.

“So, from their standpoint, it is undoubtedly a disadvantage for them.”

It is worth noting that England has already revealed their starting XI for the final Test, with Ollie Pope taking over as captain in Stokes’s absence.

Shubman Gill restated that India will finalize their lineup after examining the pitch but confirmed they would field frontline spinners, unlike the hosts, who are likely to rely on Joe Root and Jacob Bethell for spin duties.

“Arshdeep Singh has been told to prepare, but we will decide on the Playing XI after assessing the pitch later today,” Gill added.

“England has chosen not to include a frontline spinner. We have Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who have performed exceptionally well with both the ball and the bat. In that regard, it’s an obvious choice for us.”