New Delhi: In a surprising twist, it has now been revealed that Jasprit Bumrah’s early departure from the England Test series was not just part of workload management, but due to a suspected knee injury — a concern that could have longer-term implications for Indian cricket.
Initially, it was widely believed that Bumrah would play only three of the five Tests in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy to manage his workload and prevent another major injury, especially after his past struggles during the Australia tour. Even before the series began, both head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill had confirmed this rotational approach.
So, when Bumrah was missing from the playing XI for the fifth Test at The Oval, it didn’t raise alarms. But eyebrows were raised when the BCCI, on August 31, officially announced his release from the squad during the match. If he was simply being rested, many questioned why he wasn’t retained for strategic inputs or dressing room morale.
Now, a report by The Times of India has claimed that Bumrah is dealing with a knee injury — not just rest. Citing an unnamed BCCI official, the report stated, “Unfortunately, Bumrah is suffering from a knee injury. The good thing is that it’s not a major one and won’t require surgery. The BCCI medical team is currently awaiting his scan reports.”
The 31-year-old speedster is expected to begin rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
Despite Bumrah’s absence, India put up a spirited show in the fifth Test. The pace trio of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Prasidh Krishna stepped up under pressure. Even as England appeared poised for a comfortable chase on Day 4, Indian bowlers turned the tide in the final session, reducing England to 339/6 while chasing 374 — leaving the match delicately poised going into the final day.
However, Bumrah’s injury is worrying news for Team India, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup cycle beginning soon and the Asia Cup scheduled for next month. With this being potentially his second injury setback in under a year, questions will once again surface about his long-term fitness and how the BCCI manages its premier fast bowling asset.
