According to ESPN Cricinfo, Team India will likely be missing ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the series-deciding fifth and final Test against England at the Oval, which begins on Thursday, July 31. According to the article, the BCCI medical team notified Bumrah of the decision in an effort to protect his and their long-term aims.
The pacer’s absence from the Oval Test is consistent with the team’s pre-series decision to play him in only three of the five Tests to manage his fatigue. However, with India behind 1-2 in the best-of-five series and in a must-win situation to complete their UK trip on equal terms, there was speculation that the star bowler will test the rules and play a fourth Test in the series.
The 31-year-old had his poorest performance in the fourth Test in Manchester, which finished in a tie. Bumrah conceded more than 100 runs in an innings for the first time in his illustrious career, concluding with figures of 2/112 in 33 overs as England scored 669.
He is one of the leading wicket-takers and joint leading in India with 14 wickets at an average of 26 with 2 5-wicket hauls despite not playing the full four games.
Akash Deep Likely to Replace Jasprit Bumrah for Oval Test
According to reports, Akash Deep is expected to replace Jasprit Bumrah in India’s playing XI for the Oval Test. With 10 wickets in the second Test at Edgbaston, the Bengal pacer led India to their only win in the ongoing England series.
However, Akash Deep suffered a groin injury in the next Test at Lord’s, concluding with a dismal match figure of 1/122. As a result, the 28-year-old missed the team’s penultimate match in Manchester.
Aside from Akash Deep, India may replace Shardul Thakur and Anshul Kamboj, who had poor performances in Manchester, with Kuldeep Yadav and either Arshdeep Singh or Prasidh Krishna.
Kuldeep and Arshdeep have not played a single game in the series, whilst Prasidh has appeared in the first two Tests.
Furthermore, maverick wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant has already been ruled out of the series finale after suffering a fractured toe in the Manchester match. Dhruv Jurel is expected to replace him for the last Test at the Oval.
