As India gear up for a must-win clash at Old Trafford in the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, former India head coach Anil Kumble has called on star pacer Jasprit Bumrah to put team needs above pre-series workload plans and lead the bowling attack in both remaining Tests.
Ahead of the England Test tour, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir had confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah would feature in only three of the five matches as part of a workload management strategy. As per the plan, Bumrah played the Headingley and Lord’s Tests but was rested for the Edgbaston fixture.
England leading the five-match series 2-1, the stakes have never been higher — and for Kumble, this is not the time for cautious rotation.
“I would certainly push for Bumrah to play the next game because that’s crucial,” Kumble said on JioHotstar’s Follow The Blues. “If he doesn’t play and India end up losing the Test, that’s it — the series would be done and dusted. Bumrah should feature in both the remaining Tests.”
Bumrah sat out the second Test in Edgbaston, which India lost, and now doubts linger over his availability for the crucial fourth Test beginning July 23 in Manchester. But Kumble believes India cannot afford to rest Bumrah anymore.
Citing the long break after the England tour and the possibility of Bumrah skipping the upcoming home series if needed, Kumble stressed that India’s best chance of levelling — or even winning — the series depends heavily on their premier fast bowler taking the field now.
“Yes, he mentioned earlier that he would only play three matches, but there is a long break after this,” Kumble noted. “He does not need to be part of the home series if he wants rest. But right now, Bumrah should be playing the next two.”
Bumrah has been in top form, with 12 wickets in four innings at an average of 21, behind only Mohammed Siraj in the wicket charts. His mastery of reverse swing and ability to create pressure in long spells have been instrumental in India’s lone win in the series.
Further complicating India’s selection dilemma is the injury to left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who hurt his bowling hand and is currently under medical observation. With pace options thinning, Kumble’s call for Bumrah to step up holds even more weight.
