All the talk heading into the decider Oval Test between India vs England is about whether Jasprit Bumrah will play the fifth and final Test against England, starting on Thursday, July 31. As per head coach Gautam Gambhir, the spearhead was supposed to play three out of the five Tests, which the pacer has played in the first, third, and fourth. The management does not want to take any risk regarding the pacer's workload after he broke his back during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The five-match Test series is tantalizingly poised, with the hosts leading 2-1. The Oval Test now gives the visitors a real shot at drawing the series if they manage to win the Test. Bumrah playing the fifth Test will give India a real advantage in going all out. So far, the pacer has picked 14 wickets in three Tests, which includes two five-wicket hauls. While the jury is still out on whether the premier bowler will play the fifth Test, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has given a massive update about the same in the press conference.
Even though the batting coach refrained from confirming if Jasprit Bumrah will play, he did confirm that the pacer is fully fit for the Old Trafford Test.
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“No discussion on Jasprit Bumrah yet; he is fit. But we will take a call on his workload soon," Kotak said.
Jasprit Bumrah biggest talking point as India aim to level the series
It remains to be seen if Gambhir goes against his call of including Bumrah as opposed to his earlier statement that the pacer will play only three Tests. With the visitors in a position to level the series, the premier pacer's presence becomes all the more vital. Not only is he a genuine wicket-taker, but the fast bowler also bowls economically and changes the game whenever the captain wants him to break a partnership.
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Apart from Bumrah, even Akash Deep and Kuldeep Yadav are also in contention to play the Old Trafford Test.
