Jasprit Bumrah will take no further part in the India vs England Test series with reports suggesting that the top-ranked pacer in the format will miss the fifth Test due to workload issues. In his place, Akash Deep is likely to get the nod while Arshdeep Singh is reportedly set to make his Test debut, replacing Anshul Kamboj.
A report in ESPNCricinfo on Tuesday stated that the BCCI medical team told Bumrah that decision to rest him comes keeping the long-term in mind with safeguarding the back of the pacer being the top priority. The team management had already stated ahead of the series that Bumrah would be able to play only three Test matches.
The 31-year-old played the first Test and then rested for the second before again featuring in the next two. With India needing to win the final Test to avoid losing the series, there were speculations that Shubman Gill would try to play Bumrah. However, that seems unlikely now.
The Gujarat-born pacer picked five wicket hauls in the first and third Test but in the fourth match, he looked a bit off-colour. Bumrah bowled 33 overs in the only innings India bowled and conceded 112 runs for two wickets. This was the first time in his 48-Test-long career, that the pacer conceded over 100 runs in an innings. His pace was also down for the fourth match and he also twisted his ankle while coming down the stairs to the ground.
Meanwhile, India's top-ranked T20I pacer Arshdeep Singh seems set to make his debut, Times of India reported on Tuesday. The left-arm pacer, known for his elite T20I skills, had suffered a hand injury which led to him getting ruled out of the fourth Test.
The Punjab left-armer will replace Anshul Kamboj who made his debut in the Manchester Test but could only take one wicket. Kamboj's speeds, which barely touched mid-120s also raised questions over his fitness.
The inclusion of Arshdeep and the rest for Bumrah means India will have to rejig their bowling combination once more ahead of the final Test. Mohammed Siraj is set to play his fifth Test of the series and he will be joined by Akash Deep and Arshdeep.
