Bumrah set for final Test, concerns linger over Rahul’s fitness

India’s pace spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, is set to rejoin the national team for the fifth and final test against England, as confirmed by the Indian cricket board on Thursday.
However, middle-order batter KL Rahul, dealing with a quadricep tendon injury since the opening Test in Hyderabad, has not fully recovered and remains sidelined. Reports suggest Rahul sought consultation with a specialist in London.

In the fourth test in Ranchi, India opted to rest Bumrah, a decision that didn’t hinder their success as Rohit Sharma’s team secured an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, stated, “The BCCI medical team is closely monitoring him and coordinating with specialists in London for further management of his issue.”
Akash Deep, who showcased an impressive debut in Ranchi alongside Mohammed Siraj, might once again join Bumrah in India’s pace attack for the final test in Dharamsala scheduled for March 7.

Meanwhile, frontline seamer Mohammed Shami, absent throughout the series due to a heel injury, underwent surgery earlier this week. Shah provided an update on Shami’s recovery, stating, “He is recovering well and will soon head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru to commence his rehabilitation process.”
As the team readies for the concluding test, the return of Bumrah and the potential inclusion of Akash Deep bring hope, while the management closely monitors Rahul’s fitness for future engagements.