New Delhi: India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the fifth and final Test against England, with the BCCI’s medical team advising him rest as part of a long-term workload management plan. His replacement is expected to be 28-year-old pacer Akash Deep, who missed the previous Test at Old Trafford due to a groin injury.
The decision to rest Bumrah comes despite head coach Gautam Gambhir’s recent assurance that all fast bowlers were fit following the drawn fourth Test in Manchester. However, the medical team has prioritised Bumrah’s long-term fitness, especially in light of his history with back stress injuries — the most recent one sidelining him for three months after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January.
Bumrah’s participation in the current series had already been planned as part of a rotation policy. He played the opening Test at Headingley, was rested for the second in Edgbaston, and returned for the third at Lord’s and the fourth in Manchester. His performance in the last Test raised concerns, as he managed just two wickets for 112 runs across 33 overs — his most expensive figures in an innings. His pace was noticeably down, and he was seen hobbling on a few occasions.
Akash Deep is expected to step in again, having impressed earlier in the series. During the second Test at Edgbaston, he made an immediate impact, supported ably by Mohammed Siraj. However, Siraj, the only pacer to play all four Tests so far, appeared fatigued and struggled with cramps in Manchester. His availability for the final Test remains uncertain.
Should Siraj be rested, India may consider handing a debut to left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh. While promising, Arshdeep’s inclusion would be a bold move with the series still hanging in the balance at 2-1 in England’s favour. Other names in contention include Anshul Kamboj, who made his debut at Old Trafford, and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who could be valuable depending on pitch conditions.
As India heads into the series decider without Bumrah, all eyes will be on the revamped bowling attack to deliver under pressure.
