Bumrah ruled out of final Test, BCCI medical team advises rest
London – The final and decisive Test between India and England will begin on Thursday, July 31, at The Oval (3:30 PM IST). However, ahead of this crucial encounter, India’s bowling strength has taken a hit as premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah will not play the match, according to reports.
Akash Deep returns in place of Bumrah
Pacer Akash Deep is set to return to the Indian playing XI in place of Bumrah for the fifth and final Test. England currently leads the series 2-1, and although India can’t win the series anymore, a win at The Oval will help them draw it 2-2.
Why is Bumrah not playing?
According to a reputed cricket website, the BCCI medical team has advised Bumrah to take rest for a few days. The medical staff believes rest is necessary to prevent aggravation of a back issue and to help prolong his career. They’ve suggested a period of complete rest.
Bumrah had hinted earlier
This decision doesn’t come as a surprise since Bumrah had already informed the selectors before the series that he would not play all five Tests. He had declined the captaincy offer and made it clear that he would play only three Tests.
India won second Test without Bumrah
Bumrah played the first Test, then rested for the second, which India won even in his absence. In that match, Shubman Gill smashed a double century (269) and a century (161), while Akash Deep took 10 wickets and Mohammed Siraj claimed 7. Bumrah returned for the third and fourth Tests, but will now skip the final match.
Bumrah and Siraj lead Indian bowling stats
Both Bumrah and Siraj currently top the Indian bowling charts in the series with 14 wickets each.
Unwanted records for Bumrah in Manchester
In the fourth Test at Manchester, the pitch was slow and batter-friendly. Bumrah bowled 33 overs in the first innings and took 2 wickets for 112 runs – the most overs he has bowled and most runs conceded in a single innings in his career.
Did Gambhir speak too soon?
After India forced a draw in the fourth Test, head coach Gautam Gambhir had claimed that Bumrah would play the final Test at The Oval. However, just two days later, the decision was reversed and Bumrah was ruled out.
Team India visits High Commission
Meanwhile, a few days ago, Indian players were invited to the Indian High Commission in London, where they met High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Deputy High Commissioner Sujit Ghosh, and presented them with autographed bats as souvenirs.