The big question ahead of the fourth Test between India and England is about Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection, will he play or be rested? A final decision is expected a day before the match, which starts on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester. However, on Thursday, India hinted they are leaning towards picking Bumrah for this crucial game.
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said after the team’s short training session in Beckenham that the final call on Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection will be taken in Manchester. Still, with the series tied and everything on the line, it seems likely that Bumrah will return.
“We know we’ve got him for one of the last two Tests. And since the series is on the line in Manchester, we are leaning towards playing him,” said Ten Doeschate.
Bumrah’s Workload Plan and Management’s Tough Call
From the beginning of the tour, India had a clear strategy for Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection. The plan, created with the BCCI medical team, was for Bumrah to play only three out of the five Tests to manage his recovery from back surgery in March.
He was rested for the second Test at Edgbaston, despite an eight-day gap between games. That decision received strong criticism, especially from former India coach Ravi Shastri, who said the management should take the final call on Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection, not the player. Even without him, India won the match and leveled the series 1-1.
Bumrah returned for the third Test at Lord’s and proved his value again by taking seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Now, with another long break before the fourth Test, fans and experts are once again focused on Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection.
Another major concern is managing Mohammed Siraj’s workload, India’s leading wicket-taker in the series with 13 wickets. He has bowled 109 overs, making Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection even more important to balance the attack and avoid burnout.
Bumrah, Siraj, and Akash Deep didn’t bowl in their recent training session, focusing instead on fitness drills. Siraj did bat and looked to have moved on from the heartbreak of being bowled in the final moments at Lord’s.
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Pant’s Injury and Keeping Dilemma
Rishabh Pant is also under the spotlight due to a finger injury he suffered during England’s first innings at Lord’s. He did bat in both innings, but didn’t keep wickets, as Dhruv Jurel stepped in. Now, with Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection being a key factor in the bowling department, Pant’s availability adds another layer to India’s team balance.
On Thursday, Pant didn’t bat or keep. While his finger had no tape, he is still not fully comfortable with impact. Ten Doeschate said the team is optimistic that Pant will play and that the only doubt is whether he can keep.
“I don’t think you can keep Rishabh out of the team. He batted through pain last time, and it will get better. We just want to be sure before match time,” he said.
If Pant cannot keep, India may go with him as a pure batter, with Jurel keeping wickets. But if he’s fully fit, both roles will be his. The outcome will affect Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection too, as overall team balance is a key consideration.
Arshdeep Singh’s Injury and India’s Bowling Mix
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh injured his finger while trying to stop the ball during training. He left the session and had his hand taped. It’s still unclear if he’ll need stitches or if he’ll be fit in time. This uncertainty has made Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection even more significant for India’s fast bowling plans.
“We’ll take a final call on Arshdeep and our combination once we get to Manchester,” Ten Doeschate confirmed.
With Bumrah, Siraj, and Arshdeep all being monitored, Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection remains the most critical decision. Interestingly, bowling coach Morne Morkel stepped in during practice, testing batters with bounce and seam movement to simulate match intensity.
India will travel to Manchester on July 19 and resume full training on July 21. The management has a lot to think about regarding fitness and team balance, especially with the spotlight on Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection.
With the series tied and everything to play for, the decision on Jasprit Bumrah 4th Test Selection could determine the outcome of the entire Test series.
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