Jasprit Bumrah is set to miss the 5th Test against England due to an old injury. Team India has decided to rest their star pacer. The last match of the series is set to happen at The Oval, and you can bet that fans are going to feel Bumrah’s absence.
India took this decision carefully after assessing Bumrah’s performance and fitness. In the fourth Test match at Manchester, Bumrah delivered an impressive 33 overs in just one innings. This marks the highest number of overs he has ever bowled in a Test innings. Not only did he give away over 112 runs, but his pace also dropped sharply by the end of the game.
The team management, along with the BCCI medical team, decided it was best to give him some rest. They did not want to take any risk, especially with his history of back injuries. Even though Bumrah isn’t injured at the moment, his body needs some time to recover. Moreover, the break between the fourth and fifth Test is only three days. That is too short for a fast bowler to fully recover. Therefore, the team made a smart move to avoid future injuries.
With Bumrah out of the picture, Arshdeep Singh is set to step up and make his Test debut. He has already impressed in white-ball cricket and now gets his big chance in red-ball format. This is a golden opportunity for the left-arm pacer to shine at the biggest level.
Additionally, Akash Deep is likely to return to the playing XI. He missed the fourth Test due to a minor injury but has now regained fitness. Mohammed Siraj, who has been consistently performing well, will continue to lead the bowling attack. Together, these young bowlers will bring energy and enthusiasm. Still, the team will miss Bumrah’s skill and experience during high-pressure moments.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak both hinted earlier that Bumrah’s selection would depend on fitness and workload. Eventually, the medical staff gave a clear recommendation to rest. India’s coaching staff believes in looking at the bigger picture. They want to preserve Bumrah for important matches ahead. Hence, they fully supported the decision.
Yes, this was the right decision. Fast bowlers like Bumrah deal with immense physical stress. Playing all five Tests in one series can seriously increase injury risks. Instead of overworking him, India chose to play safe. This strategy helps them protect Bumrah’s long-term career. Short-term loss, long-term gain, that’s the smart thinking behind this move.
Now, the team will depend on its young pacers to deliver. With Arshdeep making his debut and Akash Deep returning, India will enter the final Test with a fresh bowling unit. Though inexperienced, they bring a lot of promise. Moreover, this match gives India a chance to test new talent under pressure. If they perform well, India will have more depth in its bowling lineup in the future.
In conclusion, Jasprit Bumrah set to miss the 5th Test may seem like a setback. However, this decision shows smart planning. Instead of risking their top bowler, India has chosen to manage his workload wisely.
Bumrah’s absence opens the door for new players to step up. With the right mindset and teamwork, India can still aim for victory in the final Test. Fans will hope for a strong finish to the series, even without their bowling star.
