logo
Siraj expects Bumrah to feature for India in fourth Test

Siraj expects Bumrah to feature for India in fourth Test

France 2421-07-2025
Bumrah, the world's top-ranked Test bowler, is only slated to play three of the five matches against England as he battles a back injury.
He has already featured in India's defeats at Headingley and Lord's, leaving the tourists 2-1 down in the series.
With doubts over the availability of India seam bowler Akash Deep due to a groin injury, Siraj believes Bumrah will feature in Manchester on Wednesday rather than hold him back for next week's final Test at The Oval.
"So far, we only know that Jassi (Bumrah) will play," Siraj said on Monday.
India must make at least one change as Nitish Kumar Reddy will miss the last two Tests because of a knee injury.
India are also sweating on the fitness of wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who suffered a finger injury last week.
Siraj was last man out as India fell to an agonising 22-run defeat in the third Test at Lord's.
The pace bowler played Shoaib Bashir's delivery on to his stumps before slumping to his knees in frustration.
Siraj took heart from India's lower-order fight as he lasted 30 balls and Reddy and Bumrah more than 50, with Ravindra Jadeja contributing an unbeaten 61.
"It took a long time to get over. That match felt like we could've won. I'm very emotional," he said.
"We fought hard. Jadeja did great and even Bumrah batted 54 balls. Still, we lost. But I told myself, it's 2-1 now, not over yet. That gave me motivation to do better.
© 2025 AFP
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

West Ham's Paqueta cleared of betting charges
West Ham's Paqueta cleared of betting charges

France 24

time2 hours ago

  • France 24

West Ham's Paqueta cleared of betting charges

The Brazil international was charged with four alleged breaches of Football Association (FA) rules in relation to matches involving the Premier League side. It was alleged the 27-year-old directly sought to influence games by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the "improper purpose of affecting the betting market". The four charges against Paqueta related to a game against Leicester in November 2022 and matches against Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth in 2023. He was facing the prospect of a lifetime ban if found guilty. The Brazilian denied the charges and the independent regulatory commission found them not proven following a hearing. The FA said two charges against Paqueta, related to a failure to cooperate with its investigation, had been found proven. It said a commission would decide on an appropriate sanction for those proven breaches "at the earliest opportunity". The Brazilian, who joined West Ham in 2022, said in a club statement that he had always maintained his "innocence against these extremely serious accusations". "I can't say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face," he said. "To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me." West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady said: "We are pleased Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the outset, and as a club we have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the process." Alastair Campbell, a partner at the law firm Level and the head of Paqueta's legal team, said: "Few cases carry the gravity of this one -- professionally, personally and emotionally for our client. "Lucas has faced down immense pressure with remarkable strength and resilience." The FA said it was awaiting the written reasons from the independent commission in relation to its decision on the charges, and would not be commenting further until that time. Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was given a suspended two-month ban in May last year over breaches of betting rules. It came as the Italian international was serving a 10-month ban handed down by the Italian authorities for betting offences.

England make early double strike in India series decider
England make early double strike in India series decider

France 24

time5 hours ago

  • France 24

England make early double strike in India series decider

Sai Sudharsan (25 not out) and prolific captain Shubman Gill (15 not out) then held firm in a match India must win to end a gripping series all square at 2-2. Ollie Pope, leading England in place of injured captain Ben Stokes, won the toss on his Surrey home ground and unsurprisingly elected to field first in overcast conditions and on a green-tinged pitch. It was not long before recalled Surrey paceman Gus Atkinson, one of four changes to the England team following last week's drawn third Test at Old Trafford, had opener Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw for two. England, however, had to overturn umpire Ahsan Raza's original not out decision -- the first time Pope had succeeded with a review as caretaker captain. When rain forced the players off the field a few minutes before the scheduled lunch break, Atkinson had miserly figures of 1-7 in six overs. With the floodlights piercing the gathering gloom in south London, runs proved hard to come by as Chris Woakes also kept things tight while taking the new ball. And it was Woakes who struck next when opener KL Rahul, who has scored more than 500 runs the series, played on for 14 trying to cut a ball that was too close to him, leaving India 38-2. His exit brought in Gill, enjoying a prolific debut campaign as India skipper. The 25-year-old now needs just 38 more runs to overhaul Sunil Gavaskar's all-time India series record of 774 runs set against the West Indies in 1971. Gill, fresh from his fourth hundred of the series in Manchester, was quickly into his stride with an elegant back-foot punch through the covers for four off recalled seamer Jamie Overton. A schedule of five Tests in less than seven weeks has taken its toll, with both England and India making four changes to their teams at the Oval. India left out paceman Jasprit Bumrah, who hurt his back earlier this year. Team bosses had previously announced the world's top-ranked Test bowler would only feature in three games during the current series -- a figure he reached at Old Trafford.

England and India set for final push in gripping Test series
England and India set for final push in gripping Test series

France 24

time16 hours ago

  • France 24

England and India set for final push in gripping Test series

England confirmed Wednesday they will be without captain Ben Stokes after the inspirational all-rounder was ruled out with a shoulder injury -- a huge blow to the hosts. In last week's drawn fourth match at Old Trafford, which preserved his side's 2-1 series lead, Stokes became just the fourth England cricketer to score a century and take five wickets in the same Test. The 34-year-old is also the leading wicket-taker on either side, with 17 wickets at 25.23, while sending down 140 overs -- the most the lively seamer has delivered in any series. "I am obviously disappointed to not be able to finish the series," an emotional Stokes told reporters on Wednesday, adding: "Bowling was ruled out as soon as we got the scan results." England, in an exhausting schedule of five Test in under seven weeks, have made four changes to their side at the Oval. Spin-bowling all-rounder Jacob Bethell makes his first Test appearance of 2025, effectively as a replacement for Stokes. Pacemen Josh Tongue, Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton all come into the team, with Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse rested. Liam Dawson has been dropped, with England opting against deploying a specialist spinner. Bumrah dilemma India, meanwhile, have still to confirm if Jasprit Bumrah will play at the Oval. Bumrah's back injury earlier this year prompted India to announce the fast bowler would only feature in three games during the current series. The world's top-ranked Test bowler made his third appearance at Old Trafford and has little time to recover after bowling a draining 33 overs, during which he took two wickets and conceded 100 runs for the first time in a Test innings. "We are going to take a decision tomorrow (Thursday)," India captain Shubman Gill said Wednesday. "The wicket looks pretty green. So, we will see how it turns out." India are set to recall Akash Deep, who took 10 wickets in Bumrah's absence during India's 336-run win in the second Test at Edgbaston before suffering a groin injury in the next match at Lord's. The tourists will have to make at least one change, as prolific run-scorer Rishabh Pant has been ruled out after fracturing his foot in Manchester, with Dhruv Jurel taking over as wicketkeeper. India were in dire straits at 0-2 in their second innings at Old Trafford. But Gill, in on a hat-trick, made his fourth century of a remarkable debut campaign as India skipper before further hundreds from Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar kept the series alive. The 25-year-old Gill has now set a new record for the most runs scored by an India batsman in a series against England of 722. And he could eclipse Sunil Gavaskar's all-time India series record of 774 runs, set against the West Indies in 1971, at the Oval. "One day before the last Test match, I am here and I am very excited," said Gill, thrust into the captaincy following Rohit Sharma's shock retirement. The series has become increasingly heated, with India refusing to shake hands on a draw early in the fourth Test in Manchester after Gill accused England of ignoring the "spirit of cricket" with time-wasting tactics in the third Test at Lord's. And on Tuesday there was even an extraordinary row between India coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval groundsman Lee Fortis. Gill, while acknowledging emotions had occasionally boiled over, said: "I think once the match is over, there is mutual respect between both the teams." Despite India's superb rearguard action to earn a draw at Old Trafford, former India batsman Gambhir remains under pressure. Since he took over as head coach, India have won just two and lost eight out of 12 Tests.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store