Why Doesn’t BCCI Medical Team Want Jasprit Bumrah To Play 5th Test?

Jasprit Bumrah will miss the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval, starting July 31 (Thursday), after the BCCI’s medical team advised him to rest and manage his workload, according to a report by ESPNCricinfo.

After returning from a back injury, Bumrah had told the team management that he would only play in three of the five Tests in England. So far, he has played three matches, taking 14 wickets in 119.4 overs. He missed the second Test at Edgbaston, which is the only game India have won in the series so far.

England currently lead the five-match series 2-1, but India still have a chance to level it at The Oval.

After the fourth Test ended in a draw, head coach Gautam Gambhir said all the fast bowlers were fit for the final match. 

However, Bumrah didn’t look fully fit in Manchester. He wasn’t bowling at his usual pace and gave away 112 runs in 33 overs - his most expensive figures in a Test innings. He was also seen limping at times.

Akash Deep, who missed the fourth Test due to a groin injury, is likely to replace Bumrah in the XI. It was Akash Deep who replaced Bumrah in the second Test and claimed 10 wickets in the game.

Arshdeep Singh or Prasidh Krishna could come in for Anshul Kamboj, who had a tough debut in Manchester.