Follow UsIndia’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has dropped a bombshell ahead of the fifth Test at The Oval, stating all the Indian pacers are fit and ready for selection, including Jasprit Bumrah. With just three days to go for the Oval Test, there was a sharp worry over whether India would risk Bumrah, especially after the pre-series agreement over his workload.
However, with Bumrah bowling just one innings in the Manchester Test, and having plenty of recovery time on days four and five, there now emerges a serious possibility of him playing a fourth Test in the England series.
"All the fast bowlers are fit. There are no injury concerns,” Gambhir said after India’s famous draw in Manchester.
Would Bumrah play? Gambhir has kept tight-lipped over that conversation.
"We haven't had any conversation around the combination for the last Test," Gambhir replied. "No decision has been made on whether Jasprit Bumrah will play or not. Ultimately, whoever plays, they will try and do the job for the country."
India’s heroic fight means that they are still in the series, as a win in the fifth Test will allow them to tie the series at 2-2. Gambhir praised the team and added that the heroic efforts in Manchester give India a lot of confidence heading into the fifth Test.
"When you are put under pressure, and you end up batting five sessions, I think that's great character. Anything that you do in these conditions, when you are put under pressure and you come out of those pressure moments, it is always a great feeling, and it just ends up giving a lot of confidence in the dressing room as well.
"And I'm sure going into The Oval, we will be high on confidence, but we can't take anything for granted. I think it's going to be a new game, it's going to be against a strong England side, and we absolutely will be up for it."
If India do win at The Oval, it will be a monumental effort, especially given what transpired at Lord's where they lost in heartbreaking fashion.