In spite of being 1-2 down and the tempting possibility of levelling the series by winning the fifth and final Test at The Oval, knocking on the doors, the BCCI medical has apparently made the hard decision of resting Jasprit Bumrah from the Oval Test.
As per an ESPNCricinfo report, World's No.1-ranked bowler Bumrah won't play the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy to safeguard his back keeping long-term prospects in view. Fit-again Akash Deep will replace Bumrah in India's XI.
Even before the series began, the Indian team management under head coach Gautam Gambhir and Bumrah himself had stated that he would be at best available for three of the five Tests because his body won't permit more than that. The last time around when Bumrah attempted to throw his body around in Australia, he found himself aggravating his back injury, which could cut short his career.
All this notwithstanding, there were whispers of Bumrah getting one last rip at the Oval to enable India to level the series. After all, he hasn't bowled since the morning of Day 4 of the fourth Test in Manchester. But as it transpired, a combination of just a three-day respite, a probable lifeless Oval pitch and workload management led India not to gamble with Bumrah.
This comes hours after batting coach Sitanshu Kotak did not rule out Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the series decider. "Bumrah is fit now, according to his load. He has bowled one inning in the last match. So that obviously the head coach, our physio and captain will have a discussion and decide. There has been no discussion," Kotak said two days before the game.
At Old Trafford, Gambhir had also assured that all his fast bowlers were fit, thereby revealing that Arshdeep Singh and Akash Deep have recovered from their injuries.
Bumrah, India's leading wicket-taker in the series up to this point, bowled 33 overs his highest in an innings in Manchester. This followed him having bowled his heart out at Leeds and Lord's.
Akash Deep, absent in the fourth Test because of a groin strain, will return to the XI having regained his complete fitness. Akash Deep was India's star with the ball at Edgbaston, where he secured 10 wickets.
Arshdeep Singh will also receive his Test cap. Anshul Kamboj is being replaced by him while Mohammed Siraj is all but guaranteed to play his fifth Test in succession.
